Introduction
Seeing a crypto balance in your wallet but being unable to send it is confusing and stressful. The funds appear to be there, yet every attempt to transfer fails, gets rejected, or doesn’t even prompt a confirmation. This issue affects many wallets and blockchains and is usually caused by technical conditions rather than lost funds.
The good news is that most cases can be resolved safely once you identify what’s blocking the transaction.
What Causes This Issue?
Several common factors can prevent a wallet from sending crypto even when the balance looks correct:
- Insufficient native gas balance
Tokens require the network’s native coin (ETH, BNB, MATIC) to pay fees. - Active token approvals or permissions
Old approvals can interfere with new transactions. - Incorrect network selection
The wallet may be connected to the wrong blockchain. - Nonce or pending transaction conflicts
A stuck or dropped transaction can block new ones. - Token contract restrictions
Some tokens have transfer limits or temporary locks. - Wallet sync or RPC issues
The wallet interface may not be fully synced with the network.
For example, transactions can appear confirmed on-chain but still fail to update correctly inside the wallet, which is a known issue explained in Transaction Confirmed but Balance Not Updated.
Step-by-Step Solutions
Follow these steps in order. Do not skip ahead.
1. Check Your Gas Balance
Make sure you have enough of the native coin for the network:
- Ethereum → ETH
- BNB Smart Chain → BNB
- Polygon → MATIC
Even if you’re sending tokens like USDT, gas is still required.
2. Confirm You’re on the Correct Network
- Open the wallet’s network selector
- Match the network with where the tokens actually exist
- If needed, switch networks and refresh the wallet
A network mismatch can make balances appear correct but block outgoing transfers.
3. Look for Pending or Stuck Transactions
- Check the wallet’s activity history
- Look up your address on a blockchain explorer
- If there is a pending transaction, wait for it to clear or drop
Only one transaction per nonce can be processed at a time.
4. Review Active Token Approvals
If you’ve used DApps before, approvals may still be active.
Disconnecting a wallet from a website does not remove permissions. This is a common misconception explained in Wallet Approvals Still Active After Disconnecting.
If necessary:
- Review approvals using a trusted revoke tool
- Remove permissions you no longer recognize
5. Try a Small Test Transaction
Before sending the full amount:
- Send a very small amount
- Use standard gas settings
- Avoid custom fee values unless necessary
This helps confirm the issue is resolved.
6. Refresh or Reconnect the Wallet
If everything looks correct:
- Close and reopen the wallet
- Clear cache (if supported)
- Reconnect the wallet to the network
In some cases, the wallet interface fails to sync properly even though the blockchain data is correct.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to send tokens with zero native gas
- Switching networks repeatedly during a pending transaction
- Increasing gas randomly without understanding the issue
- Reinstalling the wallet before checking approvals
- Assuming the funds are lost immediately
Most “can’t send” problems are temporary and fixable.
Extra Tips to Prevent This Issue in the Future
- Keep a small amount of native gas at all times
- Revoke unused token approvals regularly
- Avoid interacting with unknown DApps
- Wait for transactions to fully settle before sending again
- Use reputable RPC endpoints when possible
These habits significantly reduce transaction issues.
FAQ
Why does my wallet show a balance but won’t let me send it?
This usually happens due to missing gas, network mismatch, or an existing pending transaction.
Can a token be locked even if it shows a balance?
Yes. Some tokens have contract-level restrictions that temporarily prevent transfers.
Is this related to security risks?
Sometimes. Old approvals or permissions can interfere with transactions, which is why reviewing them is important.
Does this mean my wallet is hacked?
No. In most cases, this is a technical or network-related issue, not a compromise.
Final Summary
When a wallet shows a balance but can’t send crypto, the issue is almost always technical rather than permanent. Gas availability, network selection, pending transactions, and active approvals are the most common causes.
By checking each factor carefully and avoiding rushed actions, you can usually restore normal wallet functionality safely and without risking your funds.