Have you tried trading tokens on PancakeSwap only to be blocked by the “Unsupported Chain ID” error? This confusing message appears when the network you’re connected to doesn’t support the tokens you’re trying to swap.
Not to worry, I’ll explain what’s causing this error and the quick steps to fix it so you can get back to decentralized trading!
Understanding Token Standards
Unlike traditional exchanges, decentralized platforms like PancakeSwap allow trading digital assets directly from your crypto wallet. But this means transactions must occur on compatible blockchain networks.
There are a few common token standards dictating which networks support trading and transferring specific crypto tokens:
- BEP-20: Native to Binance Smart Chain (BSC). BEP-20 tokens can only be traded on BSC.
- ERC-20: The most popular standard for Ethereum-based assets. Only supported on the Ethereum blockchain and Layer 2 networks connected to Ethereum like Polygon.
- BEP-2: Used on the original Binance Chain network. Far less common today.
Here’s a comparison of the two major standards:
| Standard | BEP-20 | ERC-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Binance Smart Chain | Ethereum |
| Gas Fees | Lower | Higher |
| Speed | Faster | Slower |
Many newer DeFi coins launch exclusively on BSC as BEP-20 tokens due to its lower fees and higher speed vs. Ethereum mainnet.
So why does PancakeSwap sometimes show the “Unsupported Chain ID” error? Let’s break it down…
What the Error Means
PancakeSwap operates on both Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain (BSC). By default, PancakeSwap runs on Ethereum.
The “Unsupported Chain ID” error appears when trying to trade BEP-20 tokens while still connected to the Ethereum network. It’s essentially the wrong network for that token!
For example, suppose you try buying the latest hot BEP-20 token after hearing about it on Reddit. Without realizing, you didn’t switch PancakeSwap from Ethereum to BSC first. Boom—“Unsupported Chain ID” error strikes.
How to Fix “Unsupported Chain ID”
The good news is this annoying error is easy to fix once you know the following steps:
1. Get BNB for Gas Fees
All transactions on BSC require BNB tokens to pay gas fees, just like Ethereum requires ETH.
You’ll need a small amount of BNB in your wallet before connecting to PancakeSwap on BSC. The easiest way to get BNB is to buy it on Crypto.com or Binance and withdraw it to a BSC-compatible wallet like Trust Wallet or MetaMask.
I recommend having around 0.05 BNB which should be enough for several trades.
2. Connect Your Wallet to PancakeSwap
In Trust Wallet or MetaMask, access PancakeSwap by using the in-app browser and navigating to PancakeSwap.finance. Click “Connect” in the top right corner.
This connects your wallet directly to PancakeSwap without having to copy-paste addresses between apps.
3. Switch Network from Ethereum to Smart Chain
After connecting your BNB-funded wallet, tap the network icon showing “Ethereum” in the top corner. Select “Smart Chain” from the list.
If “Smart Chain” doesn’t appear, try updating your wallet app or manually adding a Custom RPC.
You’ll know the switch was successful when the network icon changes from Ethereum to BNB Smart Chain.
And that’s it! With your wallet now connected to PancakeSwap on BSC, you can trade any BEP-20 token without errors.
Troubleshooting Tips
Still seeing the Unsupported Chain ID error after changing networks? Try these troubleshooting checks:
- Ensure your wallet contains BNB, not just ETH
- Force quit and relaunch your mobile wallet app
- Check your wallet app is updated to latest version
- Manually add Binance Smart Chain as custom network in wallet settings
- Try toggling airplane mode off/on to reset connection
- Clear browser cache/data and revisit PancakeSwap site
Also double check that the specific token you’re trading is actually supported on Binance Smart Chain. Occasionally scam or fake coins impersonate popular BEP-20 tokens.
You can verify a token’s contract address on CoinMarketCap by clicking on the token then Contracts tab:
As you can see above, FLOKI token is built on BSC, not Ethereum.
Let me know if you have any other issues getting rid of the “Unsupported Chain ID” error!
