Fix "No Market Capacity"

Trade Quick Help Troubleshooting v1.0
Updated for v1.0.x | Last updated: 2025-01-15

Symptoms

You're seeing these issues:

  • Cannot create/import/export in a specific market: The game blocks trade actions because capacity is too low.
  • Capacity shows 0 or near 0 even while other markets have capacity: Your target market has no available capacity, but other markets work fine.
  • Trade routes fail to start or stop working: Routes that worked before suddenly stop, or new routes can't be created.
Diagnosis: Your market has insufficient capacity to support the trade routes you're trying to create. Each trade route consumes capacity, and markets have a limited capacity pool.

Fixes

Try these solutions in order:

1. Build Marketplaces

Build marketplaces in locations tied to that market. Marketplaces are the primary way to increase trade capacity. Each marketplace adds capacity to its market. Build marketplaces in your primary trade hub first, then expand to other locations in the same market.

💡 Tip
Priority: Build your first marketplace in your capital or primary trade hub. This is usually the most efficient location.

2. Staff Buildings Fully

Staff marketplaces and trade buildings fully for +capacity/+advantage. Unstaffed buildings don't provide their full capacity bonus. Make sure all marketplace jobs are filled. Staffed buildings also provide trade advantage, which helps you get first pick of scarce goods.

3. Optimize Routes

Shorten routes and prioritize high-margin goods. Long routes consume more capacity. Shorter routes are more efficient. Focus on high-margin goods (luxuries, finished products) that generate more profit per capacity point.

Pause low-profit trades consuming capacity. If you have multiple routes, pause the least profitable ones to free capacity for better routes.

4. Automate Minor Markets

Consider automating minor markets to focus capacity where it matters. If you have multiple markets, you can automate smaller ones to free up management time and focus capacity on your primary market. This helps you maximize efficiency in your main trade hub.

Prevention

Avoid capacity issues in the future:

  • Expand capacity before adding new routes: Don't create routes until you have sufficient capacity. Build marketplaces first, then add routes.
  • Avoid spreading across too many markets early: Each market requires its own infrastructure. Focus on one market first, then expand to others when you have excess capacity.
  • Monitor capacity usage: Check your capacity usage regularly. If you're using 80%+ of capacity, consider expanding before adding more routes.
  • Plan routes before building: Calculate how much capacity you'll need before creating routes. This prevents overextension.

Quick Fix Checklist

  • Build 1 marketplace in your primary trade hub
  • Staff all marketplace jobs fully
  • Pause low-profit routes if capacity is tight
  • Focus on high-margin goods first
  • Expand capacity before adding new routes

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