How to resolve a "transaction failed" error in Coinbase Wallet?

Understanding the 'Transaction Failed' Error in Coinbase Wallet

When users encounter a 'transaction failed' error in Coinbase Wallet, it typically indicates that a blockchain transaction could not be confirmed or executed. This error does not mean the funds are lost. Instead, it signifies that the network rejected or could not process the transaction. Common causes include insufficient gas fees, network congestion, incorrect recipient addresses, or smart contract issues. The Coinbase Wallet app operates as a non-custodial wallet, meaning users manage their own private keys and interact directly with the blockchain. As such, failed transactions are often the result of user-side or network-side conditions rather than a flaw in the app itself.

Verify Network Conditions and Gas Fees

One of the most frequent causes of transaction failure is inadequate gas fees. On networks like Ethereum, transactions require gas to be processed. If the selected gas fee is too low, miners may ignore the transaction, leading to failure or timeout.

To resolve this:

• Open Coinbase Wallet and navigate to the transaction history.
• Tap on the failed transaction to view details.
• Check the network fee (gas fee) that was attached.
• Compare it with current recommended fees using external tools like Etherscan’s gas tracker or GasNow.
• If the fee was too low, consider using a wallet that supports transaction cancellation or speed-up (though Coinbase Wallet does not natively support these functions).

For networks such as Polygon, Arbitrum, or Base, gas fees are generally lower, but similar principles apply. Always ensure the selected network matches the token being sent. Sending ERC-20 tokens on the Polygon network, for example, will fail.

Confirm Recipient Address and Token Compatibility

A transaction failed error may occur if the recipient address is invalid or incompatible with the token standard. For instance, sending BEP-20 tokens to an address that only supports ERC-20 may not work if the network is misconfigured.

To avoid this:

• Double-check the recipient address for typos or missing characters.
• Ensure the address supports the token standard and network in use.
• Use verified addresses from trusted contacts or QR code scanning.
• Confirm that the token is available on the selected network—for example, USDC exists as USDC.e on Arbitrum and native USDC on Solana.

If sending NFTs, verify that the recipient wallet supports the NFT standard (e.g., ERC-721 or ERC-1155) and is on the correct chain. Sending an Ethereum-based NFT to a Solana wallet will result in permanent loss.

Check Wallet Balance and Token Approval Status

Even if a transaction appears ready to send, insufficient network token balance can trigger failure. For example, sending DAI on Ethereum requires ETH to pay gas fees. Without ETH, the transaction fails.

To verify:

• Open the Coinbase Wallet app.
• Navigate to the Assets tab.
• Confirm you have enough native token (e.g., ETH, MATIC, ARB) to cover gas.
• If balance is low, transfer a small amount of the native token to your wallet.

Additionally, some transactions involve token approvals. When interacting with DeFi platforms, you may need to approve a smart contract to spend your tokens. If approval fails or is pending, subsequent transactions may also fail.

To re-approve a token:

• Go to the dApp browser in Coinbase Wallet.
• Connect to the platform where approval is needed.
• Initiate the approval process again.
• Confirm the transaction with sufficient gas.

Avoid approving tokens to untrusted contracts, as this can lead to funds being drained.

Restart the Transaction with Correct Parameters

Once the cause of failure is identified, the safest way to proceed is to retry the transaction with corrected settings.

Follow these steps:

• Return to the send screen in Coinbase Wallet.
• Re-enter the recipient address, ensuring accuracy.
• Select the correct token and network.
• Adjust the gas fee to reflect current network conditions—choose 'High' priority if urgent.
• Review all details before confirming.
• Enter your passcode or biometric authentication to broadcast.

Note that failed transactions do not consume the sent token, but the gas fee is lost. This is a feature of blockchain networks—gas is paid for computational effort, even if the transaction fails.

If the app shows a pending transaction that never confirms, it may be stuck. In such cases, wait 15–30 minutes. If it remains pending, it will eventually drop from the mempool, and the gas will be refunded in the sense that no further fees are charged.

Use Advanced Tools for Deeper Diagnostics

For users needing deeper insight, blockchain explorers provide detailed transaction data. Each transaction has a hash (TXID), which can be used to trace its status.

To use a blockchain explorer:

• Copy the transaction hash from the failed transaction in Coinbase Wallet.
• Open a browser and go to the relevant explorer (e.g., Etherscan for Ethereum, Polygonscan for Polygon).
• Paste the hash into the search bar.
• Analyze the result: look for 'Failed' status, revert reason, or out of gas messages.

Revert reasons like 'insufficient liquidity' or 'transfer amount exceeds balance' clarify why the transaction failed. These messages come from smart contracts and are not generated by Coinbase Wallet.

For developers or advanced users, tools like MetaMask’s transaction speed-up function are unavailable in Coinbase Wallet, so retrying with higher gas is the only option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a failed transaction in Coinbase Wallet be canceled?No, Coinbase Wallet does not support canceling pending or failed transactions. Once broadcast, the transaction is handled by the blockchain network. If it fails, it remains as a failed record, and the gas is consumed. You can only retry the transaction with corrected parameters.

Why did my transaction fail even with enough balance?Having enough token balance does not guarantee success. You must also have sufficient native cryptocurrency for gas. For example, sending USDT on Ethereum requires ETH for gas. Additionally, smart contract errors or network congestion can cause failure despite adequate funds.

Will I get my money back after a failed transaction?The amount you tried to send is not deducted if the transaction fails. However, the gas fee is permanently lost, as it pays for network computation. No recovery method exists for gas fees, even in failed transactions.

Does Coinbase Wallet support transaction speed-up?No, Coinbase Wallet does not offer a speed-up or cancel feature for pending transactions. If a transaction is stuck due to low gas, the only option is to wait for it to drop from the mempool and then resend with a higher fee.