NotEnoughBalanceToPaySwapHotKey

Error Re-added v151 → v212, v216 → v216, v217 → v219, v233 → v315, v320 → v326, v334 → current 7.44

Insufficient balance to pay the hotkey swap fee.

Encountered by: minersvalidatorswalletsdevelopers

Why This Error Exists

Hotkey swaps allow you to replace a registered hotkey while keeping all its stake, UID, and reputation. This is useful for key rotation security practices. Like coldkey swaps, there's a fee to prevent spam and abuse. The fee is paid by the coldkey that owns the hotkey.

Deep Dive

HotkeySwapCost (or KeySwapCost) is deducted from the signing coldkey's free balance. Hotkey swaps are simpler than coldkey swaps - they execute immediately without a delay period. The old hotkey's UID, weights, and stake transfer to the new hotkey. Delegators' stake moves automatically.

Debugging Example

You call swap_hotkey(old_hotkey=5Old..., new_hotkey=5New...). Error: NotEnoughBalanceToPaySwapHotKey. Query System.Account(your_coldkey).free - returns 0.5 TAO. Swap cost is 1 TAO. Solution: Transfer 0.5+ TAO to your coldkey to cover the fee, then retry.

Prevention Tips

  • Check the swap cost constant before attempting hotkey swaps
  • Keep a TAO buffer in your coldkey for administrative operations
  • Plan hotkey rotations and budget for the associated fees

From Chain Metadata

Not enough balance to pay swapping hotkey.

What This Means

Insufficient balance to pay the hotkey swap fee.

Common Causes

  • Hotkey swap requires a fee payment
  • Balance too low after accounting for fee

How to Fix

  • Ensure sufficient free balance for the swap fee
  • Check KeySwapCost constant for the fee amount

Storage to Check

System.Account (removed)SubtensorModule.HotkeySwapCost (removed)

Thrown By

Version History

v151 block 3,157,274 Added
v216 block 4,510,996 Re-added
v217 block 4,590,522 Re-added
v233 block 4,920,350 Re-added
v320 block 6,523,566 Re-added
v334 block 6,811,690 Re-added Current

Runtime Info

Pallet Index
7
Error Index
44
Error Code
7.44
Runtime Version
v393