Encountering a failed transaction on Uniswap can be frustrating, especially when you're eager to complete a token swap. One of the most common errors users face is: “This transaction will not succeed either due to price movement or fee on transfer. Try increasing your slippage tolerance.” This message typically appears during volatile market conditions or when interacting with less liquid tokens.
The root cause usually lies in slippage tolerance — the percentage difference between the expected price of a trade and the actual executed price. When price volatility exceeds your set slippage, the transaction reverts to protect you from unfavorable rates. Fortunately, this issue is both preventable and fixable with the right approach.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through practical steps to resolve failed Uniswap transactions, optimize slippage settings, and improve your overall DeFi trading experience. Whether you're new to decentralized exchanges or looking to refine your strategy, these insights will help you trade more effectively.
Understanding Slippage and Why Transactions Fail
Slippage occurs naturally in decentralized finance (DeFi) due to fluctuating token prices across automated market makers (AMMs) like Uniswap. Unlike centralized exchanges, Uniswap relies on liquidity pools rather than order books, meaning large trades can significantly impact token prices.
When you initiate a swap:
- The platform estimates how many output tokens you’ll receive.
- If the actual amount deviates beyond your slippage tolerance, the transaction fails.
For example, if you expect to receive 100 units of Token B but the price shifts before execution and only 92 units are available, a slippage setting of 5% may allow the trade (since 8% drop exceeds tolerance), while 10% would permit it.
👉 Learn how to manage slippage and execute smooth trades on a trusted platform.
Step-by-Step: Fixing a Failed Transaction on Uniswap
1. Increase Your Slippage Tolerance to 3%
Uniswap’s default slippage tolerance is 0.1%, which works well for stablecoins or high-liquidity pairs but often causes failures when trading volatile or low-cap tokens.
Start by adjusting your slippage to 3%, a balanced threshold that accommodates moderate volatility without exposing you to excessive price risk.
How to adjust slippage:
- Visit Uniswap.org and connect your wallet (e.g., MetaMask).
- Choose the tokens you want to swap.
- Click the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner of the swap panel.
- Enter 3 in the “Slippage tolerance” field.
- Confirm and retry the transaction.
This adjustment often resolves minor execution issues, especially during periods of mild market fluctuation.
2. Raise Slippage to 6% for Higher Volatility
If your transaction still fails at 3%, it indicates significant price movement — common with trending memecoins or newly launched projects.
Increasing slippage to 6% gives the network more flexibility to execute your trade even amid rapid price swings.
While effective, higher slippage means you could end up paying more per token than initially quoted. Always assess whether the asset’s potential upside justifies the increased cost.
Pro tip: Monitor real-time price charts (via platforms like Dextools or GeckoTerminal) before trading to anticipate volatility.
👉 Discover advanced trading tools that help predict price movements and optimize entry points.
3. Use Up to 12% Slippage for Illiquid Tokens
For extremely volatile or low-liquidity tokens — such as new memecoins with concentrated supply — even 6% may not suffice.
In these cases, raising slippage to 12% can allow successful execution. However, proceed with caution:
- You may receive significantly fewer tokens than expected.
- Some tokens impose transfer fees, reducing output further — a factor Uniswap cannot always detect.
Only use high slippage for tokens you’ve researched thoroughly. Avoid blindly increasing tolerance without understanding the tokenomics.
After setting 12% slippage:
- Re-enter your swap details.
- Review the “Price Impact” warning below.
- Confirm the transaction.
If it still fails, consider waiting or adjusting gas fees.
Alternative Solutions When Increasing Slippage Isn’t Enough
Sometimes, adjusting slippage alone won’t resolve the issue. Here are additional fixes:
✅ Wait and Retry Later
Markets stabilize over time. If a token is experiencing extreme volatility (e.g., during a pump or social media hype), waiting 30 minutes to a few hours can make swaps easier and cheaper.
✅ Increase Gas Fees
A congested Ethereum network can delay transactions, allowing more time for price changes. Boosting gas (max fee) helps speed up confirmation, reducing exposure to volatility.
Set gas to “High” or manually increase GWEI in your wallet settings.
✅ Check Token Contracts
Some tokens have restrictions like:
- Max transaction limits
- Blacklisted addresses
- Anti-bot mechanisms
Verify the contract on Etherscan and review user comments before attempting further swaps.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is slippage tolerance?
A: Slippage tolerance is the maximum percentage difference you’re willing to accept between the quoted and executed price of a token swap. It protects users from drastic price changes during transaction processing.
Q: Is high slippage dangerous?
A: Yes. Setting slippage too high (e.g., 15%+) increases the risk of buying at an inflated price or falling victim to scams where prices rebound immediately after purchase.
Q: Why does Uniswap reject my transaction even with high slippage?
A: Possible reasons include insufficient gas, network congestion, token-specific transfer taxes, or smart contract restrictions. Always verify token details and retry under optimal conditions.
Q: Can I lose money due to slippage?
A: Yes. High slippage means accepting a wider price range, which could result in unfavorable execution. However, failing trades also cost gas fees, so balance is key.
Q: Does increasing slippage guarantee success?
A: Not always. While higher slippage improves chances, factors like liquidity depth, transfer fees, and front-running bots can still block execution.
Q: Should I always use custom slippage?
A: For stablecoin swaps or major pairs (e.g., ETH/USDC), stick to 0.1%–0.5%. For speculative assets, customize based on observed volatility — starting at 3% and increasing incrementally.
Core Keywords for SEO Optimization
To enhance search visibility and align with user intent, this guide naturally integrates key terms including:
- Uniswap transaction failed
- Fix Uniswap error
- Increase slippage tolerance
- Uniswap slippage settings
- Transaction reverted on Uniswap
- How to swap tokens on Uniswap
- DeFi transaction issues
- Slippage tolerance explained
These keywords reflect common search queries from users encountering DeFi trading hurdles and seeking actionable solutions.
👉 Access a secure, high-performance trading environment designed for both beginners and pros.
Final Tips for Smooth Trading on Uniswap
To minimize failed transactions:
- Start low, go slow: Begin with 1–3% slippage and increase gradually.
- Avoid panic-setting 12%: Only use high slippage when necessary.
- Use trusted tools: Leverage blockchain explorers and analytics dashboards.
- Stay updated: Follow ETH gas trends and market sentiment.
By mastering slippage management and understanding how decentralized exchanges operate, you’ll trade more confidently and efficiently in the evolving world of DeFi.