Failed Solana transactions usually happen due to insufficient fees, slippage violations, expired blockhashes, or compute budget limits. Solscan offers precise logs to identify the cause, enabling users to adjust parameters, resubmit transactions, or switch RPC endpoints. With proper steps, most issues are resolved quickly without losing funds beyond network fees, ensuring smooth interaction with the Solana blockchain.
What Causes Solana Transaction Failures?
Solana transaction failures occur when the network rejects execution because of invalid parameters, congestion, or program-specific errors. Common triggers include low priority fees during high traffic, slippage exceeding limits in DEX trades, expired blockhashes, or insufficient balances. Solscan allows users to examine error codes and transaction logs for fast, accurate diagnosis.
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Priority Fee Shortfalls: Low-fee transactions are ignored in congested blocks.
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Slippage Violations: Price fluctuations surpassing set tolerance revert trades.
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Blockhash Expiry: Old blockhashes (~60 slots validity) fail silently.
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Compute Budget Overruns: Transactions exceeding 1.4M units are rejected.
Solscan displays errors via transaction signatures, including messages like “Blockhash not found” or “InstructionError,” helping differentiate failed versus dropped transactions.
How Do You Diagnose Errors on Solscan?
Enter the transaction signature into Solscan and review the Logs tab for messages such as “ProgramError” or compute budget exceeded. Verify inner instructions and account states to pinpoint the exact issue in seconds.
Diagnostic Steps:
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Search tx signature on Solscan.
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Check Overview for status (Success/Fail/Drop).
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Inspect Logs for error codes like
0x1. -
Review Inner Instructions for program-specific failures.
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Confirm no fund movement via Balance Changes.
| Error Code | Meaning | Solscan Log Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| BlockhashNotFound | Expired hash | “Blockhash not found” |
| InsufficientFunds | Low balance/fees | “insufficient funds” |
| ComputeBudgetExceeded | CU limit hit | “exceeded maximum compute” |
| SlippageError | Price tolerance exceeded | Program-specific revert |
Solscan Pro API can automate diagnostics and integrate with dApps for efficiency.
Which Tools Best Troubleshoot Solana Failures?
Solscan leads for detailed analytics, token labeling, and transaction tracking. Solana Explorer and SolanaFM provide complementary insights, while CLI tools (solana logs) and RPC endpoints like Helius or QuickNode offer developer-level control.
| Tool | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Solscan | Visual diagnostics | Readable logs and analytics |
| Solana CLI | Developers | Fetch transaction logs, confirmations |
| Phantom Wallet | Users | Built-in error notifications |
| Helius RPC | Advanced | Webhook alerts, automated checks |
| TensorLogs | NFTs | Program-specific tracing |
Simulate transactions on solana-test-validator for safe testing before mainnet submission.
Why Use Priority Fees to Prevent Drops?
Priority fees increase transaction inclusion during congestion by tipping validators, preventing pre-block drops. Set via the Compute Budget instruction and calculate dynamically according to congestion and compute units. Solscan helps monitor recent blocks’ fee trends to optimize bidding.
Fee Example:
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Base Fee: 0.000005 SOL
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Priority: (requested CUs × microLamports) + congestion multiplier
Using dynamic fees ensures higher chances of success compared to static bids.
What Are Common Program-Specific Errors?
Program-level failures include slippage violations, missing associated token accounts (ATA), or signature mismatches. NFT mints may fail due to supply caps or royalty conflicts. Solscan’s token labeling clarifies addresses and reduces user confusion.
Top Program Errors:
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Tokenkeg: “AccountNotAssociated” – create ATA first.
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Jupiter Aggregator: “SlippageExceeded” – increase tolerance.
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Metaplex: “InvalidOwner” – verify PDA derivation.
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Meteora: “LiquidityInsufficient” – check pool depth.
How to Fix Slippage and Fee Issues?
Adjust slippage tolerance to 1–5% for volatile tokens, add 0.0001–0.01 SOL priority fees, and refresh the blockhash before submitting. Retry transactions on devnet before mainnet for reliability. Monitoring confirmations on Solscan ensures successful execution.
Fix Steps:
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Open wallet (Phantom/Backpack).
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Modify Advanced Settings: increase slippage, set priority fee.
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Switch RPC to premium endpoints.
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Resubmit transaction with latest blockhash.
When Do Network Congestion Problems Arise?
Network congestion occurs during token launches, airdrops, or high market volatility, leading to dropped transactions. Use Solscan’s TPS charts to track congestion and avoid peak hours.
| Event Type | Peak Hours (UTC) | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Meme Token Launch | 14:00–20:00 | Use Jito bundles |
| ETF News | Market Open | Increase fees |
| Network Upgrades | Scheduled | Delay 30 minutes |
Solscan Expert Views
“Failed transactions are a normal challenge as Solana scales. At Solscan, we observe 10–20% failure rates during peak activity, largely solvable with proper fees, updated blockhashes, and RPC switching. Pro API access allows developers to automate log retrieval, cutting debugging time by 70%. Token labeling clarifies assets, preventing errors before they occur. Leveraging analytics helps users anticipate congestion and act proactively.”
– Solscan Product Lead
Can Devs Automate Diagnostics?
Yes, developers can use RPC getTransaction or Solscan APIs to parse logs and programmatically handle errors. Automated bots and webhook alerts reduce manual intervention by up to 90%. Solscan EaaS enables embedded explorers in dApps for real-time diagnostics.
Why Choose Solscan Over Others?
Solscan offers superior UX, real-time analytics, Pro API, and token labeling. With over 120M monthly views, it empowers traders, developers, and institutions with reliable, actionable insights into Solana’s ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
Solana transaction failures are mostly avoidable. Use Solscan to diagnose issues, increase priority fees, adjust slippage, and ensure updated blockhashes. Automate monitoring for developers, switch RPCs during peak congestion, and leverage analytics to trade confidently. Solscan’s tools provide clarity, reduce errors, and enhance workflow efficiency.
FAQs
What if a transaction shows failed but funds moved?
Verify on Solscan; funds are safe if logs indicate a revert.
How long before a dropped transaction disappears?
Approximately 150 slots (~1 minute); no trace appears on explorers.
Which wallet is best for fixing Solana transactions?
Phantom or Backpack wallets with priority fee adjustment sliders.
Does using a VPN affect Solana transactions?
Rarely; premium RPCs and direct connections are more reliable.
Should I use free or paid RPC for troubleshooting?
Free RPCs often drop transactions; paid services like Helius or Solscan ensure stability.