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Have you tried MetaMask Activity?
MetaMask Activity is a new tool that can analyze your transactions and automatically suggest possible resolutions, and it has a built-in function dedicated to pending transactions. Why not try it out? See here for more information.
When you submit a transaction on Ethereum or a compatible network, part of the gas you pay is a bid to the network to process your transaction sooner — this element is known as the priority fee.
Although MetaMask will assist you by calculating a total gas fee likely to have your transaction picked up, you can end up waiting a long time if you submit with a low gas price. For advice on what gas prices will result in a transaction being finalized in a reasonable amount of time, please refer to sources such as Etherscan's gas tracker, or a similar tracker for whichever network you're using.
Additionally, there are sometimes circ*mstances where something goes wrong, and a transaction is just stuck, or pending for a very long time.
No matter how you got to this point, there are a few different ways to address it.
Before you take any further action, your first step should be to exit and close your browser completely, reopen it, and unlock MetaMask (on mobile, just close the app and reopen it). If that doesn't solve the problem, continue with the following:
Speeding up a transaction
Try one of the options below:
- Wait until the network is willing to process transactions at this price
- If you haven't done so already, click that button that says 'Speed up'. This will let you re-submit the same transaction, but with a higher gas fee that should allow the transaction to be processed faster. Since this process re-uses the same nonce as the original, you do not need to pay for gas twice.
Bear in mind that speeding up the transaction will increase the amount you're spending for the transaction.
Canceling a transaction
Method 1: In-app cancellation
If you haven't done this already, to cancel the transaction, simply select Cancel, as in the screenshot above. Please note, a cancellation can only be attempted if the transaction is still pending on the network. Transactions that have already been confirmed cannot be reversed.
Method 2: Custom nonce
note
To make the custom nonce box visible, you need to turn off the Smart Transactions feature. You can do this by going to "Advanced Settings" and toggling the feature off. After clearing the pending transaction, you can easily re-enable Smart Transactions by toggling it back on.
This process involves sending a new transaction with the same nonce (an identifying number for every transaction, derived from the phrase 'number only used once'). The transaction does not actually have to have any value — e.g. you could send 0 ETH. What matters is that you pay enough gas for the network to prioritize it.
When using this method, you will need to work backwards from the oldest pending transaction in the queue that you want to cancel. For example, you cannot attempt to cancel a transaction with a nonce of 10 before canceling nonce 9.
Note also that you may be able to cancel multiple transactions at once if they have the same nonce. Since a nonce—by definition—can only be used once, cancelling one of them will cancel all that have the same nonce.
The screenshots below were taken at different times, so the gas fees shown in them can vary, even from step to step. Don't let this put you off! When you do this yourself, MetaMask will automatically update in real time to show market rates.
- In advanced settings, turn on Customize transaction nonce. You'll need this turned on so you can send a replacement transaction (using the same nonce). Find out how to locate a transaction's nonce here.
- Send a new transaction. In the new transaction, send TO yourself, meaning your MetaMask public address. Fill in 'Custom Nonce' with the same nonce as the transaction that is still pending:
- Next to the estimated fee on the transaction confirmation screen, you'll see a pencil icon to edit the fee. Click the edit icon and then select 'Advanced' at the bottom:
To make sure your cancellation request is picked up as a priority, and before the original, you will need to pay more for gas. On this screen, follow these instructions:
- Set your gas limit comparable to or slightly higher than your original transaction.
- Set your priority fee to at least 10% higher (in Gwei) than the gas fee of the original (pending) transaction (e.g. if that transaction had a gas fee of 30 Gwei, set the max priority fee in the replacement/cancellation transaction to 33-35 Gwei).
- Make sure your max fee is at least 30% higher than the max fee of the transaction you're replacing. For example, if your previous fee was 150 Gwei, choose something nearer 200 Gwei this time.
Check a gas tracker such as Etherscan's for guidance on recommended max fees.
FAQs
To cancel a pending transaction, call the merchant or retailer on your statement. If you suspect fraud, call your issuer or bank immediately. To avoid transaction errors and fraud, regularly review your statement and shop only with secure websites, among taking other precautions.
How do you cancel a pending transaction? ›
To cancel a pending transaction, call the merchant or retailer on your statement. If you suspect fraud, call your issuer or bank immediately. To avoid transaction errors and fraud, regularly review your statement and shop only with secure websites, among taking other precautions.
How to speed up or cancel a transaction in MetaMask? ›
Navigate to your connected MetaMask wallet and click the Activity tab. Any pending transactions will be listed, along with the option to speed up the transaction for an additional gas fee. It is important to note that while you have the option to speed up, there is no guarantee that the transaction will confirm.
How to override or cancel a pending ethereum transaction? ›
How to override or cancel a pending Ethereum transaction
- Determine the nonce of your pending transaction.
- Initiate a new transaction using that nonce.
- For the new transaction, increase the gas and: To cancel the pending transaction, change the send amount to the smallest amount possible (eg 0.00000001 ETH)
Enable Customize transaction nonce in the advanced settings of your MetaMask wallet. Make sure Advanced gas controls are also switched on, as this will allow you to manipulate the gas you pay and make sure your cancellation transaction is processed before the original you want to cancel. 2. Send a new transaction.
How long does it take for a pending transaction to cancel? ›
How long do pending transactions take to clear? A pending transaction may take a day or two to clear. It should then move from your list of pending payments into your current balance. Sometimes, the process can take a little longer depending on the retailer and transaction type.
Can you close a bank account with pending transactions? ›
Contact your bank to close your account
If you have outstanding fees or a negative balance, you might have to bring your account to zero or a positive balance before closing the account. If you currently have pending transactions, you must wait until those clear to close your account.
How do you accelerate a transaction on MetaMask? ›
If you haven't done so already, click that button that says 'Speed up'. This will let you re-submit the same transaction, but with a higher gas fee that should allow the transaction to be processed faster. Since this process re-uses the same nonce as the original, you do not need to pay for gas twice.
What to do if a transaction is stuck? ›
If you haven't received confirmation within an hour, contact your bank's customer support. In the event of a failed transaction, the money will be refunded to your account.
How do you speed up a pending transaction on Ethereum? ›
Before you start
- Open MetaMask extension.
- You should see the pending transaction if you accessed the same Ledger ETH account from Ledger Live.
- Click on the Speed up button.
- Check the details: the gas price, gas limit, and priority fee. ...
- Click Save.
Stuck Transaction Troubleshooting
- Step 1: Check the Status of Your Transaction. ...
- Step 2: Open MetaMask and Access Advanced Settings. ...
- Step 3: Enable Customized Nonce. ...
- Step 4: Find the Stuck Transaction's Nonce. ...
- Step 5: Create a New Transaction with the Same Nonce. ...
- Step 6: Increase the Gas Price. ...
- Step 7: Confirm the Transaction.
Once the transaction is sent, it is processed and confirmed by the blockchain, and there is no way to stop or reverse it. Can you cancel a cryptocurrency transaction? The short answer is no, you cannot cancel a cryptocurrency transaction once it has been initiated.
How do I fix pending transactions on Etherscan? ›
How to cancel a pending Ethereum transaction
- 1: Go to the Ether screen. Open Bridge Wallet and go to the Ether (ETH) screen. ...
- 2: Make a new transfer. Basically, you are going to make a transaction to yourself, with a higher gas price. ...
- 3: Send some ETH to yourself. Fill the transaction as follows: ...
- 4: That's it!
If the network is congested, your transaction might get picked up once the congestion diminishes. It could take several hours or, in extreme cases, days.
Can a pending transaction be dropped? ›
Can I cancel a pending transaction? No, you typically can't cancel a pending transaction. However, if the transaction is erroneous or unauthorized, you can contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge after it has been posted.
Can I tell my bank to block a transaction? ›
You can contact your bank and place a stop payment order on the recurring transaction. Generally, a stop payment order is only good for six months. To stop payment, you will need to notify your bank at least three business days before the next payment is scheduled to be made. Notice may be made orally or in writing.
Are pending transactions already deducted from account? ›
Pending transactions are transactions that have been initiated but are still being processed. Technically the money is moving between your bank and the vendor's bank and, as such, is removed from your immediate balance.
Does freezing your debit card stop pending transactions? ›
If I have a pending transaction when I freeze my card, will the transaction be paid? Yes. Transactions which have already been authorised will clear. It is only from the point that the lock is put in place that a initiated transaction will be declined.
