Freqtrade: No Funds Available In Account

Hey guys! If you're running into the "No funds available" error in Freqtrade, don't sweat it. It's a common issue, and we'll walk through how to fix it. This guide will cover the common causes, how to check your setup, and how to get your bot trading again. Let's dive in!

Understanding the "No Funds Available" Error

Freqtrade is an awesome open-source crypto trading bot, but sometimes, things don't go as planned. The "No funds available" error is a critical one because it stops your bot from making trades, which means you're missing out on potential profits. This error usually pops up when Freqtrade thinks you don't have enough money in your exchange account to place a trade. But sometimes it is a configuration issue and must be fixed as well.

Common Causes of the Error:

• Incorrect API Key Setup: This is the most common culprit. If your API keys aren't set up correctly, Freqtrade can't access your exchange account to see your balance or place trades. You need to make sure you've entered the correct API keys and that you've given Freqtrade the right permissions (read and trade access) in your exchange account.
• Insufficient Funds: Seems obvious, right? But it's worth checking. The bot will not trade if it thinks there are not enough funds to place a trade. Double-check your exchange account to confirm you have enough of the base currency (e.g., USDT, BTC, ETH) to cover the stake amount specified in your Freqtrade configuration.
• Incorrect Configuration: Freqtrade uses a config file (usually config.json) to define how it should behave. If there are incorrect settings in this file, like a high stake amount or a misconfigured exchange, your bot might think there are no available funds.
• Exchange Issues: Sometimes, the problem isn't with Freqtrade but with the exchange itself. This could be due to a temporary outage, maintenance, or issues with the exchange's API. This is not common, but always a possibility.

Troubleshooting Steps: Checking Your Setup

Let's work on getting you back up and running. These steps should help.

1. Verify Your API Keys and Permissions

This is the most critical first step. Make sure your API keys are correct and properly configured.

• Check the API Keys: Carefully double-check that the API keys and secrets in your Freqtrade configuration file (config.json or your environment variables) match the keys provided by your exchange. Any typos will cause issues.
• Permissions: Ensure that your API keys have the necessary permissions: read and trade access. Without these, Freqtrade won't be able to get your balance or place orders. Avoid giving API keys withdrawal permission unless absolutely necessary, to enhance security.

2. Confirm Available Funds

• Exchange Balance: Log in to your exchange account (Binance, Coinbase, etc.) and verify that you have enough funds to cover the stake amount in your Freqtrade configuration. Don't forget to account for any fees.
• Base Currency: Ensure you have the base currency required for your trading pairs. For example, if you're trading pairs like BTC/USDT, you need USDT in your account.

3. Review Your Configuration

Your config.json file is where all the bot's settings are defined.

• Stake Amount: Check your stake_amount setting. If the stake amount is too high, and you don't have enough funds, you will get the error. Try reducing the stake_amount and see if the problem is fixed.
• Exchange Settings: Confirm your exchange settings in config.json are correct. Check that the exchange parameter is set up properly for your exchange.
• Dry-run Mode: If you're testing, ensure you're in dry-run mode. Dry-run mode can sometimes cause issues with balance retrieval if not configured correctly. If you're in dry-run mode, double-check your setup.

4. Check the Logs

Freqtrade logs can provide valuable clues about what's going wrong. They will give information about the API calls and any errors that occur. They will tell you where the issues are. Review the logs by running the bot in verbose mode, you can see detailed information.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the basic steps don't fix the issue, you might need to dig a little deeper.

1. Update Freqtrade

Make sure your Freqtrade version is up to date. Sometimes, older versions can have bugs. Update to the latest release and run again.

2. CCXT Version Check

The CCXT library handles the communication with exchanges. Ensure your CCXT version is compatible with your Freqtrade version and exchange.

3. Check for Exchange Outages

Sometimes, the exchange itself is having problems. Check the exchange's status page or social media to see if there are any reported outages or API issues.

Example: Correcting a Stake Amount Issue

Let's say your config.json has the following setting:

{
    "stake_amount": 20.0,
    "max_open_trades": 5,
    ... // Other settings
}

And your Binance account has only 16 USDT. The bot will throw the "No funds available" error because the stake_amount is greater than your available balance.

Solution: Reduce the stake amount to 15.0 or lower. Then restart the bot. If that works, you can slowly increase the stake amount.

Prevention and Best Practices

Here are a few tips to prevent this issue in the future:

• Monitor Your Balance: Regularly check your exchange balance to ensure it aligns with your expected trading needs.
• Use Alerts: Set up alerts to notify you if your balance drops below a certain level.
• Test on Dry-run: Always test your strategies and configurations in dry-run mode before trading with real money.
• Secure API Keys: Protect your API keys by storing them securely and avoiding sharing them. Never store them in public repositories.

Conclusion: Back to Trading!

That's it, guys! The "No funds available" error is usually straightforward to fix. By carefully checking your API keys, balance, and configuration, you should be back in the trading game quickly. Always double-check your setup, read the logs, and remember to test in dry-run mode. If you're still stuck, check the Freqtrade documentation, and the support community, or reach out for help. Happy trading!