If your MetaMask transaction is stuck or pending for a long time, you’re not alone.
This is one of the most common problems Ethereum and EVM users face, and in most cases, it can be fixed safely within minutes.
In this guide, you’ll learn why MetaMask transactions get stuck and the exact step-by-step methods to fix them without risking your funds.
Why Is My MetaMask Transaction Pending?
A MetaMask transaction usually gets stuck for one of the following reasons:
1. Low Gas Fee
If the gas fee you selected is too low compared to the current network congestion, miners will ignore your transaction.
2. Network Congestion
During high activity periods, transactions with low or average gas prices may remain pending for hours.
3. Stuck Nonce
Every transaction has a nonce (a sequence number).
If one transaction gets stuck, all transactions after it will also fail or remain pending.
4. RPC or Network Issues
Sometimes the issue is not your wallet, but the RPC node MetaMask is connected to.
How to Fix a Pending MetaMask Transaction (Safely)
Follow these steps in order. Do not skip steps unless instructed.
Method 1: Speed Up the Transaction (Recommended First)
If the transaction is still visible in MetaMask:
- Open MetaMask
- Click on the pending transaction
- Select Speed Up
- Increase the gas fee to High or Custom
- Confirm
📌 This replaces the original transaction with a higher gas fee.
Method 2: Cancel the Pending Transaction
If speeding up doesn’t work:
- Open MetaMask
- Click the pending transaction
- Select Cancel
- Confirm the cancellation
⚠️ This also requires a small gas fee.
Method 3: Reset MetaMask Account (Safe Method)
This does NOT delete your wallet or funds.
- Open MetaMask
- Go to Settings
- Select Advanced
- Click Reset Account
- Restart MetaMask
✅ This clears stuck pending transactions from your local history.
Method 4: Manually Replace the Transaction (Advanced)
Use this only if you know what you’re doing.
- Enable Custom Nonce in MetaMask settings
- Send a 0 ETH transaction to yourself
- Use the same nonce as the stuck transaction
- Set a high gas fee
- Confirm
This forces the network to replace the stuck transaction.
Method 5: Change RPC Network (Often Overlooked)
Sometimes the issue is the RPC provider.
- Open MetaMask
- Go to Network Settings
- Switch to another RPC (e.g., Infura, Alchemy, or public RPC)
- Refresh MetaMask
What NOT to Do ❌
- ❌ Do NOT share your seed phrase
- ❌ Do NOT connect your wallet to unknown “fix” websites
- ❌ Do NOT approve random smart contracts
- ❌ Do NOT trust private messages offering help
If someone asks for your seed phrase — it’s a scam.
How Long Does a Pending MetaMask Transaction Take?
- Low congestion: 1–5 minutes
- High congestion: 30 minutes to several hours
- Very low gas: May never confirm
That’s why manual intervention is often required.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a MetaMask transaction stay pending forever?
Yes. If the gas fee is too low, it may never be mined unless you replace or cancel it.
Will resetting MetaMask delete my funds?
No. Resetting only clears local transaction history. Your funds remain safe on the blockchain.
Can I lose money fixing a pending transaction?
Only the gas fee is spent. Your main funds are not at risk if you follow safe steps.
Final Advice
Most MetaMask pending transactions are not errors, but gas fee issues.
Always check network congestion and use proper gas settings.
If you face frequent transaction issues, consider:
- Monitoring gas prices
- Avoiding peak congestion times
- Using reliable RPC providers
📌 Status: Safe Fix
📌 Risk Level: Low
📌 Time Required: 2–10 minutes