The present application discloses a method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving an HARQ failure indication. The method includes: a Node B receives an E-DCH payload from a primary carrier and fails to decode it; the Node B determines whether the condition of transmitting an HARQ failure indication is met, if so, the Node B sets the HARQ failure indication data frame on the primary carrier; and the Node B transmits the HARQ failure indication data frame to a service radio network controller on a transmission bearer corresponding to the primary carrier. The present application realizes a better control over the SIR target value through a carrier-based outer loop power control function.