Dialling *955# and getting no response can be frustrating, especially when you need to transfer money or access your OPay account without opening the app.
OPay’s USSD service is designed to provide access to financial services through a mobile phone, but a failed session does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your account. The issue can come from your mobile network, SIM configuration, the USSD service itself, or a temporary problem with OPay.
If your OPay USSD is not working, the steps below can help you identify the likely cause and get the service working again.
Read also: OPay USSD Account Blocking Code: How to Block Your OPay Account
What Is the OPay USSD Code?
The OPay USSD service uses *955#.
USSD allows customers to interact with financial services through codes on a mobile phone rather than relying entirely on an internet connection. Nigeria’s Central Bank has a regulatory framework specifically covering the use of USSD for financial services.
Unlike the OPay mobile app, USSD does not require you to browse the internet. However, it still depends on your mobile network being able to establish a USSD session.
Why Is OPay USSD Not Working?
There are several possible reasons *955# may fail.
The most common ones include:
- Poor mobile network coverage
- Temporary USSD service problems
- SIM or network-related issues
- Using the wrong SIM on a dual-SIM phone
- A failed or expired USSD session
- Temporary restrictions affecting your account or transaction
- Problems with the mobile network operator’s USSD connection
The important thing is to identify whether the problem is coming from your phone, your network or OPay.
1. Check Your Network Signal
The first thing to check is your mobile network.
USSD needs a working cellular connection. If your phone has very weak signal, shows “Emergency calls only” or has temporarily lost network registration, *955# may not respond correctly.
Try moving to an area with better reception and dial the code again.
You can also try making a normal phone call. If calls are also failing, the problem may be your network rather than OPay.
2. Make Sure You Are Using the Correct SIM
If your phone has two SIM cards, check which line you are using.
This is particularly important if the phone number connected to your OPay account is on one SIM while you are accidentally initiating the USSD request from another.
Try selecting the SIM registered with your OPay account when prompted by your phone.
If your device does not give you a SIM selection option, check your phone’s SIM settings and temporarily make the registered line the default for calls.
3. Restart Your Phone
A simple restart can sometimes resolve temporary network registration problems.
Turn off your phone, wait a few seconds and switch it back on.
After the network signal returns, dial:
*955#
Avoid repeatedly sending the code while the network is still reconnecting.
4. Try the USSD Code Again After a Short Wait
USSD services can occasionally experience temporary delays.
If *955# worked earlier but suddenly stopped responding, wait a few minutes and try again.
Repeated attempts immediately after a failed session may not help if the underlying issue is a temporary network or service problem.
If the problem continues for an extended period, move on to the next troubleshooting steps instead of repeatedly entering the code.
5. Check Whether Other USSD Codes Work
A useful way to determine where the problem is coming from is to test another USSD service.
For example, you can try your network operator’s balance or data USSD code.
If other USSD services also fail, the problem is more likely related to your mobile network or SIM.
If other USSD services work normally but *955# does not, the issue may be specific to the OPay USSD service or your OPay account.
This simple test can save you from changing phone settings unnecessarily.
6. Check Your SIM’s Network Registration
Sometimes a phone displays network bars even though its connection to the network is unstable.
You can try switching Airplane Mode on for a few seconds and then turning it off.
This forces the phone to reconnect to the mobile network.
Once your network returns, try *955# again.
If calls and SMS are also behaving strangely, contact your mobile network provider because the issue may be at the network level.
7. Your OPay USSD Session May Have Failed
USSD sessions are temporary.
If the session closes unexpectedly, times out or encounters a technical problem, you may receive an error instead of reaching the OPay menu.
Simply ending the failed session and starting a new one can sometimes resolve the issue.
Do not continue entering sensitive information if the session displays an unusual message or appears unrelated to OPay.
8. Check If the Problem Is Specific to OPay
You can compare your experience with another OPay service.
For example, if you have internet access, try opening the OPay app.
If the app works normally while *955# continues to fail, the problem may be limited to the USSD channel.
On the other hand, if both the app and USSD are experiencing problems, it may indicate a wider service or account issue.
OPay provides customer support through its official channels and lists separate contact numbers for app/card queries and POS business queries.
9. Check for a Temporary OPay Service Problem
Sometimes the problem is not something you can fix from your phone.
A financial service can experience temporary technical difficulties affecting transactions or access channels.
If:
- Your network is working
- Other USSD codes work
- Your registered SIM is being used
- Your phone has been restarted
- *955# still refuses to work
then it is reasonable to wait briefly and try again.
Avoid assuming that your account has been blocked simply because a USSD session failed.
10. Do Not Keep Repeating a Failed Transaction
If the USSD menu appears but a transfer or other transaction fails, avoid repeatedly submitting the same transaction without checking what happened to the first attempt.
This is especially important when money may have been debited.
First check your OPay transaction history or account balance.
If the transaction status is unclear, contact OPay customer service before repeatedly attempting the same payment.
OPay’s official documentation uses transaction statuses such as SUCCESS, FAIL and PENDING for its payment systems, showing why checking the status of a transaction matters when a payment does not immediately complete.
11. Try the OPay App If You Have Internet Access
If *955# is unavailable but your mobile data or Wi-Fi is working, the OPay app can serve as an alternative way to access your account.
This is particularly useful when you need to check your balance, review transaction information or determine whether a previous transaction was successful.
Using the app also helps you establish whether the issue is limited to the USSD channel.
If the app works but *955# does not, there is no need to keep changing your phone settings unnecessarily.
12. Contact OPay Customer Support
If the problem continues after checking your network and SIM, contact OPay through an official customer-support channel.
OPay currently lists the following numbers on its official website:
App & Card queries:
0700 8888 328 or 020 18888 328
POS Business queries:
0700 8888 329 or 020 18888 329
OPay also directs customers to its in-app customer service centre and physical customer service centres.
When contacting support, explain exactly what happens when you dial *955#.
For example, tell them whether:
- Nothing happens after dialling the code
- You receive an error message
- The session opens but closes immediately
- You can access the menu but cannot complete a transaction
- Money was deducted even though the transaction did not complete
Providing this information can make troubleshooting easier.
How to Know Where the Problem Is
The following quick comparison can help:
| What you experience | Likely area to check |
|---|---|
| Calls and USSD both fail | Mobile network or SIM |
| Other USSD codes work but *955# fails | OPay USSD/service |
| *955# opens but transaction fails | Account or transaction issue |
| App works but USSD fails | USSD channel |
| App and USSD both fail | Possible wider service/account issue |
| Money was deducted but transaction failed | Check transaction status and contact support |
These are troubleshooting indicators, not guaranteed diagnoses. The actual cause can only be confirmed by the relevant network provider or OPay.
What If OPay USSD Works but Transfer Is Not Working?
This is slightly different from the USSD code itself not working.
If *955# opens normally but your transfer fails, your network may not be the problem.
Check the message displayed by the USSD session and confirm that you have entered the recipient’s details correctly.
If money has already been deducted, do not immediately send the money again. First check your transaction history and contact OPay if the status remains unclear.
Can OPay USSD Work Without Internet?
Yes. USSD is designed to operate through a mobile network connection rather than requiring an internet connection like a mobile app.
However, no internet connection does not mean no network connection.
Your phone still needs cellular service to establish a USSD session.
This is why *955# can fail in an area where the mobile network is weak even though the USSD service itself is available.
Is OPay USSD Currently Down?
A failed *955# session on one phone does not by itself prove that OPay’s entire USSD service is down.
There can be several explanations, including a local network problem, SIM issue, temporary session failure or a wider service interruption.
If you have already ruled out your phone and network, check OPay’s official customer-support channels for assistance rather than relying on unverified social-media claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if *955# is not responding?
Check your network signal, make sure you are using the SIM linked to your OPay account, restart your phone and try again after a short wait. If other USSD codes work but *955# does not, contact OPay support.
Can a weak network stop OPay USSD from working?
Yes. USSD requires a functioning cellular connection. Poor network coverage or an unstable connection can prevent the session from opening or cause it to terminate unexpectedly.
Why does OPay USSD work on another phone but not mine?
The difference may be related to your SIM settings, network registration, dual-SIM configuration or the phone’s connection to the mobile network. Test the registered SIM and restart the device before contacting support.
What should I do if OPay USSD deducts money but the transaction fails?
Do not immediately repeat the transaction. Check your OPay transaction history or balance first. If the status is unclear or the money has not been returned, contact OPay customer support with the transaction details.
What is OPay’s USSD code?
OPay’s USSD service uses *955#. If the code is not working, troubleshoot your network and SIM first, then contact OPay if the problem continues.
Conclusion
When OPay USSD is not working, the cause may be as simple as weak network coverage or using the wrong SIM on a dual-SIM phone. It can also be a temporary problem with the USSD service.
Start with the basics: check your signal, confirm the correct SIM, restart your phone and test another USSD service. If other USSD codes work but *955# continues to fail, the issue may be specific to OPay’s USSD channel.
For transaction-related problems, especially when money has been deducted, check the transaction status before trying again. If you cannot resolve the issue yourself, OPay’s official customer-support channels are the safest place to get account-specific assistance.