A bit error information transfer method, a network device, and a communications system are provided, so as to resolve a problem that an existing BFD mechanism cannot be applied to a layer 2 network and cannot be widely applied. In some feasible implementation manners of the application, the method includes: detecting, by a second network device, whether a bit error occurs on a first unidirectional link from a first network device to the second network device; when detecting that a bit error occurs on the first unidirectional link, generating an ISIS packet including bit error information, where the bit error information is used to indicate that the bit error occurs on the first unidirectional link; and sending the ISIS packet to the first network device.