Automated trading bots have revolutionized the way traders interact with cryptocurrency markets. They enable 24/7 market monitoring, execute trades based on predefined strategies, and help users capitalize on opportunities even when they’re not actively watching the charts. However, like any technology, trading bots can encounter issues that prevent them from performing as expected.
Understanding how to troubleshoot your trading bot is essential for maintaining consistent performance and avoiding missed opportunities. This guide walks you through common issues, their causes, and actionable solutions—ensuring your bot runs smoothly and efficiently.
Check Your Subscription Status
Before diving into technical configurations, confirm your subscription status. A valid subscription is required to run a live trading bot with real funds.
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You can only operate one bot template with real funds per subscription. If you're using multiple bots, ensure the correct subscription is assigned to the right bot. For those without a paid plan, manual trading remains an option. To learn more about assigning subscriptions correctly, refer to your platform's documentation or support resources.
Ensure Your Bot Is Enabled
Even with a valid subscription, your bot won’t function unless it’s properly enabled. On your dashboard, three key toggles control your bot’s behavior:
- First Toggle (Bot Status): This indicates whether the bot is active. If disabled, no data is fetched from the exchange, and no trades are executed.
- Second Toggle (Buying): When enabled, the bot opens new positions based on your Base Config, Signalers, or Triggers. Note that certain triggers may automatically disable buying under specific conditions.
- Third Toggle (Selling): Controls automatic selling of open positions. Disabling this means existing holdings won’t be sold, even if sell signals are triggered.
Always double-check these settings after making configuration changes or experiencing unexpected behavior.
Verify API Key Configuration
Your bot connects to your exchange via API keys. Incorrect or incomplete API setup is one of the most common causes of bot failure.
Ensure:
- The API key has proper permissions (typically "trade" and "read" access).
- IP whitelisting is disabled unless absolutely necessary—and if used, confirm Cryptohopper’s IPs are included.
- Password managers or browser auto-fill tools aren’t interfering with key input.
If error messages related to API connectivity appear in the output log, revisit your exchange-specific setup guide. Each exchange has unique requirements, so following the correct tutorial is crucial.
Monitor Your Available Funds
A well-configured bot still can't trade without sufficient funds. Two areas on your dashboard show your financial status:
- Total Assets on Exchange: Reflects all funds available in trading pairs with your quote currency. Some exchanges separate main and trading wallets—ensure funds are moved to the trading wallet.
- Current Assets: Displays real-time holdings across your account.
Remember: Your bot operates using the quote currency (e.g., USDT, BTC). Without enough of this currency, buy orders will fail—even if other assets are present.
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Analyze the Output Log
The output log provides real-time feedback on your bot’s actions and decisions. It explains why certain trades weren’t executed. Common scenarios include:
- Reaching the maximum number of open positions.
- Hitting the allocated investment limit per trade or portfolio.
To investigate issues:
- Select a relevant time period in the output.
- Review up to 500 entries for detailed insights.
- Narrow down the timeframe if needed for clarity.
If an error persists and isn’t covered here, contact support for personalized assistance.
Common Errors and Solutions
Below are frequently encountered errors and their fixes:
Insufficient Funds for Sell Order
Solution: Check balance in your quote currency. Review Shorting and Reserved tabs—funds may be locked there.
"Greater Than Maximum Available Balance"
Solution: Manually remove the open position via "Info > Actions > Remove," then resync under Current Assets. Consider enabling auto-sync for recurring issues—but avoid it if running multiple bots on the same account.
Price × Quantity Too Low
Solution: The order amount falls below exchange minimums. Use Wallet Scrubber to merge small balances or adjust trade sizes.
Too Many Active Paper Trading Hoppers
Solution: Disable unused paper trading bots or upgrade your subscription. Each paid plan allows one free paper trade hopper (not applicable with Arbitrage bots).
KuCoin Access Denied / Permission Errors
Solution: Confirm API key has full trade permissions and IP whitelisting is off. Disable browser extensions that may interfere.
Dust Trade Disallowed
Solution: Enable Wallet Scrubber to consolidate tiny holdings into future trades.
Coinbase Pro: Limit-Only Mode
Solution: Switch to limit orders or exclude affected trading pairs.
Invalid Market / Coin Not Tradable
Solution: Verify coin availability on your exchange. Remove unsupported coins from your selection list.
Kraken: Invalid Nonce or Permission Denied
Solution: Generate a new API key with correct nonce handling. Avoid auto-fill tools and use separate keys for different functions.
Not Enough Balance for Market Buy
Solution: Deposit more quote currency or reduce trade size in Base Config > Coins and Amounts.
Order Size Below Minimum Requirement
Solution: Increase buy amounts to meet exchange thresholds—aim for at least 11 USDT or 0.0011 BTC; Kraken users should target $25+.
Could Not Get Ticker Data / 403 Signature Error
Solution: Renew API keys or re-enter passphrase accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why isn’t my bot placing any trades?
A: Check if the bot is enabled, you have sufficient funds in your quote currency, and your API keys are correctly configured.
Q: What does “dust position” mean?
A: A dust position is a very small balance that’s below the minimum order size. These can’t be traded directly and should be merged or converted.
Q: Can I run multiple live bots with one subscription?
A: No—each subscription supports one live bot template. Additional bots require separate subscriptions.
Q: Why do I get “Invalid Passphrase” errors?
A: This often results from copy-paste mistakes or browser auto-fill interference. Re-enter the passphrase manually after disabling password managers.
Q: Is auto-sync safe to use?
A: Yes, but only if you’re running a single bot on the exchange account. Using it with multiple bots may cause conflicts.
Q: How do I fix “Filter Failure: PERCENT_PRICE”?
A: This occurs when your buy price deviates too much from the current market rate. Adjust your buy strategy to align with real-time pricing.
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Final Thoughts
Troubleshooting a trading bot doesn’t need to be overwhelming. By systematically checking subscriptions, toggles, API keys, funds, and output logs, most issues can be resolved quickly. Regular maintenance and understanding error messages empower you to maintain a resilient and profitable automated trading system.
Stay proactive—review configurations weekly, keep funds balanced, and monitor for updates from your exchange or bot platform. With the right knowledge, your trading bot can become a reliable ally in navigating crypto markets.