Cryptocurrency trading offers speed and decentralization—but sometimes, transactions get stuck in limbo. If you've ever seen your MetaMask transaction lingering in "Pending" status, you're not alone. Network congestion, low gas fees, or sudden market spikes can all contribute to delays. The good news? You’re not powerless. With the right steps, you can either speed up or cancel a pending transaction and regain control of your wallet activity.
This comprehensive guide walks you through practical, step-by-step solutions to resolve stuck MetaMask transactions—whether you're eager to push it through or cut your losses and move on.
Why Do MetaMask Transactions Get Stuck?
Before diving into fixes, it helps to understand why transactions stall. Most often, the culprit is low gas fees. When you submit a transaction on Ethereum (or EVM-compatible chains), miners or validators prioritize transactions with higher fees. If your fee is too low, your transaction may sit in the mempool—essentially a waiting room—for minutes, hours, or even days.
Other factors include:
- High network congestion during peak activity
- Sudden changes in gas price estimates
- Wallet synchronization delays
Knowing this, the solution lies in either increasing the incentive (gas fee) or replacing the transaction entirely.
How to Cancel a Pending MetaMask Transaction
If you no longer wish to proceed with a transaction—perhaps you sent it to the wrong address or set gas too low—you can cancel it by replacing it with a zero-value transaction using the same Nonce.
🔹 What is a Nonce?
A Nonce is a sequential number assigned to each transaction from your wallet. It ensures transactions are processed in order and prevents duplicates. Reusing the same Nonce allows you to replace an unconfirmed transaction.
Step-by-Step Cancellation Process
- Confirm the Transaction is Still Pending
Only unconfirmed transactions can be canceled. Once confirmed and added to the blockchain, it’s irreversible. Find the Nonce of the Stuck Transaction
- Open MetaMask and go to the Activity tab.
- Locate the pending transaction and click on it.
- Scroll down and expand “Transaction Details.”
- Note the Nonce value.
Enable Custom Nonce in Settings
- Navigate to Settings > Advanced.
- Toggle on "Customize transaction nonce".
Send a 0 ETH Transaction with the Same Nonce
- Click “Send” in MetaMask.
- Paste your own wallet address as the recipient.
- Set the amount to 0 ETH (or 0 of the relevant token).
- Under advanced options, set the Nonce to match the stuck transaction.
- Increase the gas fee significantly above the original.
- Confirm and submit.
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This new transaction—carrying higher gas—will likely be prioritized by validators and overwrite the original, effectively canceling it.
Important Tips When Canceling
- ✅ Always double-check the Nonce value—entering it incorrectly can cause future transaction issues.
- ✅ Use a gas fee that’s noticeably higher than the original; otherwise, it may not be picked up.
- ✅ After cancellation, disable “Custom Nonce” to avoid accidental missteps in future sends.
How to Speed Up a MetaMask Transaction
If you still want your transaction to go through but faster, MetaMask offers a built-in Speed Up feature designed for exactly this scenario.
Using the Speed Up Function
- Open MetaMask and go to the Activity tab.
- Find your pending transaction.
- Click the “Speed Up” button.
- MetaMask will automatically create a replacement transaction with the same details but a higher gas fee.
- Adjust the gas fee slider if needed—aim for “Fast” or “Instant” based on current network demand.
- Confirm and submit.
The network will recognize this as a replacement due to the same Nonce, and miners will prioritize the higher-paying version.
🚀 Pro Tip: If the “Speed Up” button isn’t available, don’t worry—you can manually replicate this process by sending a 0 ETH transaction with the same Nonce and increased gas, just like in cancellation mode.
Alternative Strategies for Stuck Transactions
Sometimes, standard methods aren’t enough—especially during extreme congestion. Consider these backup plans:
Monitor Gas Prices via Block Explorers
Use platforms like Etherscan or Blockchair to view real-time gas price trends. Schedule future transactions when fees drop during off-peak hours.
Wait It Out
While frustrating, patience often works. Most low-fee transactions eventually clear—though it might take 24–48 hours during high traffic.
Try a Different RPC Network
If you're on Ethereum Mainnet, consider switching to a Layer 2 solution (like Arbitrum or Optimism) or another EVM chain where fees are lower and confirmations faster.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I cancel a confirmed MetaMask transaction?
No. Once a transaction is confirmed and recorded on the blockchain, it cannot be reversed or canceled. Always double-check recipient addresses and amounts before confirming.
Why doesn’t the “Speed Up” button appear in MetaMask?
This usually happens if:
- The transaction has already been confirmed or dropped.
- There’s a sync issue—try refreshing MetaMask or relogging.
- The wallet hasn’t fully loaded pending transactions.
In such cases, manual replacement using custom Nonce is your best bet.
Does canceling a transaction refund my gas fee?
No. The original gas fee is lost because miners used computational resources to process your initial request—even if it was later replaced.
How long should I wait before canceling a pending transaction?
If your transaction remains pending for more than 15–30 minutes during normal network conditions, it’s safe to assume it’s stuck. You can then proceed with speeding up or canceling.
Can I reuse the same Nonce twice?
Yes—but only to replace an unconfirmed transaction. Once a Nonce is confirmed on-chain, reusing it will result in rejection by the network.
Will speeding up a transaction cost extra?
Yes. You’ll pay gas for both the original (stuck) and accelerated transactions. However, only the successful one will execute; the other is dropped from the mempool.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Transactions
Stuck transactions don’t have to derail your crypto experience. By understanding how Nonces, gas fees, and transaction replacement work, you gain powerful tools to manage your wallet proactively.
Whether you choose to speed up or cancel, always act swiftly while keeping security in mind. And before making major moves on mainnet, consider testing strategies in a sandbox environment like Goerli or Sepolia.
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With these techniques mastered, you’ll trade with greater confidence—and far fewer headaches.