Troubleshooting
Channel problems
Understanding Lightning capacity limits when sending or receiving fails.
Sending and receiving over Lightning both depend on channel balances. If an amount is refused, capacity in that direction is the usual explanation.
- Cannot send an amount — your side of the channel may hold less than the amount requested.
- Cannot receive an amount — receive capacity may need to be arranged, which can carry a fee.
- Channel operations are Bitcoin transactions, so they may need confirmations before capacity is usable.
Using an on-chain payment is a reasonable alternative for larger amounts.