Have you been checking your CRIF credit score regularly and noticing that it hasn’t moved in months? Whether it’s stuck at 620, 670, or even 730, a stagnant score can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to qualify for better credit card offers or lower-interest loans.
A “stuck” CRIF score typically means that either your credit profile hasn’t changed much recently or that key factors affecting your score aren’t being addressed properly. In this blog, we’ll break down why your CRIF score might be stuck and—more importantly—what you can do to fix it.
Why CRIF Credit Scores Get Stuck
Before we dive into the solutions, it’s important to understand the reasons your score might be frozen in place. Here are the most common scenarios:
1. No New Credit Activity
CRIF scores are based on recent and historical credit behavior. If you haven’t taken new credit or used your existing credit products actively, your score may plateau.
Example:
If you haven’t used your credit card for months, there’s nothing new for CRIF to evaluate.
2. Minimal Payment History Update
While making timely payments is good, it may not significantly improve your score if your current profile already shows consistent payments.
Score insight:
Timely payments keep your score stable, but additional positive activity is needed to boost it further.
3. High Credit Utilization Not Being Fixed
If you’re regularly using over 40–50% of your credit card limit—even if you’re paying on time—your score may stay stuck.
Tip:
Reducing your utilization to under 30% can unlock progress.
4. Old Negative Marks Still in Report
Late payments, defaults, or settlements from the past 2–3 years continue to weigh down your score.
Insight:
Negative marks can stay on your report for up to 7 years, even if your recent behavior is good.
5. Too Many Recent Hard Enquiries
Applying for multiple loans or credit cards in a short span can freeze or even drop your score due to increased risk perception.
“If your score hasn’t moved in months, try applying these proven strategies to improve your credit score.”
How to Move Your CRIF Credit Score
Let’s explore actionable steps to move your score in the right direction.
1. Check Your Latest CRIF Report for Clarity
Start by reviewing your credit report in detail.
| Things to Look For | Why It Matters |
| Credit Utilization Ratio | Should be under 30% |
| Days Past Due (DPD) | All accounts should show “000” |
| Active vs. Closed Accounts | Make sure closed loans are marked “Closed” |
| Status Tags | Watch for “Settled” or “Written-Off” |
RupeeQ Tip: Check credit score and download report for free using RupeeQ ACE. You’ll get personalized credit insights and suggestions to improve your score faster.
2. Lower Your Credit Utilization
Paying off large chunks of credit card dues can provide a quick score boost.
Example:
If your credit card limit is ₹1,00,000 and you’re consistently using ₹70,000, try bringing it down to ₹25,000 or less. This change alone can unlock 20–40 points within 60 days.
3. Diversify Your Credit Mix
If you only have unsecured loans (like credit cards or personal loans), consider taking a small secured loan—such as a consumer durable loan or gold loan.
This shows lenders (and CRIF) that you can handle both types of credit responsibly.
4. Dispute and Remove Inaccurate Entries
Errors like incorrect DPD values, settled loans not marked as closed, or duplicate accounts can all hold your score back.
What to Do:
- Visit RupeeQ > My Report
- Click on Raise a Query
- Select the error and upload proof (loan closure letter, payment receipt)
- Submit and track resolution (takes up to 30 days)
5. Use a Credit Builder Product
Consider low-ticket products like:
- Micro personal loans (₹5,000–₹25,000)
- Buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) schemes (paid off on time)
Used responsibly, these can demonstrate active repayment behavior and boost your score.
6. Avoid New Loan Applications Temporarily
If your score is stuck and you’re frequently applying for new credit, pause all applications for 3–6 months. This gives your profile time to recover from multiple hard enquiries.
RupeeQ Tip: Instead of applying everywhere, use RupeeQ to check pre-approved offers based on your current credit score.
7. Ask for a Credit Limit Increase (Without Spending More)
If you have a strong payment track record, your card issuer might approve a higher credit limit. Don’t use the additional limit—just having it lowers your utilization ratio and can improve your score.
8. Monitor Changes Every 45–60 Days
Credit score updates aren’t instantaneous. It takes time for banks to report changes and for bureaus to reflect them.
Best practice:
Check your score once every 45–60 days to track progress. Daily or weekly checks may not show meaningful changes.
How Long Does It Take to Unstick a Score?
| Issue | Time to See Score Change |
| Reducing utilization | 30–60 days |
| Disputing errors | 30 days (post verification) |
| Closing unsecured loans | 45–90 days |
| No credit activity | 60–90 days (post new activity) |
| Removing hard enquiry impact | 90–120 days |
Common Mistakes That Keep Scores Constant
- Paying only minimum due on credit cards
- Not reviewing your credit report regularly
- Having multiple inactive accounts with outstanding balances
- Assuming old negative marks won’t matter anymore
- Not taking action after checking your score
Final Thoughts
A stuck CRIF credit score isn’t the end of the road—it’s a signal to take targeted action. With regular monitoring, disciplined credit behavior, and error corrections, you can push your score upward and unlock better financial opportunities.
Platforms like RupeeQ make the journey smoother by offering:
- Free CRIF credit score checks
- ACE-powered score insights
- Smart loan recommendations based on your score
Remember, credit scores don’t change overnight—but the right steps taken today will build the score you want tomorrow.
FAQs
- Is it normal for my CRIF score to stay the same for months?
Yes, if there’s little to no credit activity, your score might not move. But if you’re making efforts, it should gradually improve. - Does checking my CRIF score frequently affect it?
No. These are soft enquiries and don’t impact your credit score. - Can RupeeQ help improve a stuck score?
Yes. RupeeQ provides actionable insights through ACE, dispute tools, and pre-approved offers based on your current score. - Should I close my credit card to improve my score?
No. Closing cards reduces your credit limit and may increase your utilization ratio. Try reducing usage instead.
