> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.decider.market/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.decider.market/documentation/resolution-and-data/resolution-failures-and-fallbacks.md).

# Resolution Failures & Fallbacks

Decider assumes resolution can fail — the oracle goes down, the source is ambiguous, the resolver disappears. Every failure path ends safely.

## The safety net: resolveDeadline

Every market has a **`resolveDeadline`** — a hard deadline by which it must be resolved.

## What happens on failure

1. If the market is not resolved by `resolveDeadline`, a keeper calls `forceCancel()`.
2. The market enters the **CANCELLED** state.
3. Everyone receives a **pro-rata refund** of the reserve.

## Why this is safe

* Funds are **never locked forever** — the deadline guarantees a path out.
* Refunds are **pro-rata**, so nobody is unfairly advantaged.
* The result of failure is a refund, not an arbitrary settlement.

```mermaid
flowchart LR
    A[Market unresolved] --> B{resolveDeadline reached?}
    B -- No --> A
    B -- Yes --> C[forceCancel]
    C --> D[Refund pro-rata]
```

See Cancellations & Refunds.


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