Ethereum transactions are designed to be secure and irreversible—once confirmed, they cannot be canceled, reversed, or modified. However, during periods of high network congestion, transactions may get stuck in a pending state for hours or even days. This typically happens when users set a low gas fee, causing miners to prioritize other, more lucrative transactions.
The good news? If your transaction is still pending, you can take action to either cancel or replace it. This guide walks you through the exact steps using MetaMask, one of the most widely used crypto wallets. Whether you're transacting on Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche, Binance Smart Chain, or Fantom, these methods apply universally.
Why Do Ethereum Transactions Get Stuck?
To understand how to fix a pending transaction, it's essential to first understand why it happens.
Ethereum uses a gas-based fee system where users bid for their transactions to be processed by miners (or validators in Proof-of-Stake). Three key concepts govern this process:
- Gas Cost: The amount of computational work required to execute a transaction (determined by the network).
- Gas Price: How much you’re willing to pay per unit of gas (set by you).
- Gas Limit: The maximum amount of gas you're willing to spend on a transaction.
Think of it like an auction: if your bid (gas price) is too low compared to others, your transaction waits in line. Worse, until that first pending transaction clears, no new transactions from your wallet will be processed. That’s because Ethereum relies on a sequential nonce system—each transaction must be confirmed in order.
👉 Learn how to optimize your next crypto transaction with real-time network insights.
Can You Cancel an Ethereum Transaction?
Yes—but only under one condition: the transaction must still be pending.
Once a transaction is confirmed and written to the blockchain, it’s final. No exceptions. But while it remains unconfirmed, you have two options:
- Speed it up – Pay a higher gas fee to push it through.
- Cancel it – Replace it with a zero-value transaction using the same nonce.
Both methods rely on transaction replacement, a feature supported by most modern wallets like MetaMask.
Step-by-Step: How to Cancel a Pending ETH Transaction in MetaMask
Follow these clear steps to cancel or replace your stuck transaction.
Step 1: Locate the Pending Transaction
Open MetaMask and go to the Activity tab. Find the transaction marked as “Pending.” Click on it to view details.
Take note of the Nonce number—this is crucial. The nonce is a sequential counter that ensures each transaction is processed only once and in the correct order.
🔍 Example: If your pending transaction has a nonce of15, any replacement must also use nonce15.
Step 2: Enable Custom Nonce Settings
Go to Settings → Advanced.
Scroll down and toggle on "Customize transaction nonce". This allows manual control over which nonce your next transaction uses.
Step 3: Send 0 ETH to Yourself Using the Same Nonce
Now, create a new transaction:
- Tap Send.
- Paste your own wallet address into the recipient field (you're sending to yourself).
- Enter 0 ETH as the amount.
- Click Edit on the gas settings and increase the gas fee significantly—use “High” or “Urgent” priority for fastest results.
- Before confirming, click Advanced Options and enter the same nonce as your stuck transaction.
- Confirm the transaction.
This new 0 ETH transfer effectively replaces the old one. Miners will see two transactions with the same nonce; they’ll accept the one with the higher gas fee and drop the original.
Step 4: Wait for Confirmation
Monitor your wallet. Once the zero-value transaction confirms, the pending one disappears from the mempool.
✅ Pro Tip: After finishing, return to Settings → Advanced and turn off "Customize transaction nonce" to prevent accidental errors in future transactions.
Alternative: Speed Up Instead of Canceling
If you want the original transaction to go through but just need it faster, use MetaMask’s built-in Speed Up function:
- In the Activity tab, click on the pending transaction.
- Select Speed Up.
- MetaMask will automatically create a replacement transaction with a higher gas fee (same nonce, same details).
- Confirm with elevated fees.
This doesn’t cancel the original—it replaces it with a faster version.
👉 Access live gas tracking tools to avoid slow transactions in the future.
Key Tips for Avoiding Stuck Transactions
- Monitor Network Congestion: Use blockchain explorers or dApps that show current gas prices.
- Use Dynamic Fee Suggestions: Wallets like MetaMask offer real-time recommendations—opt for “High” during busy times.
- Double-check Before Sending: A typo or rushed confirmation can lead to costly delays.
- Keep Some ETH for Gas: Always maintain a small reserve to handle fee adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I recover funds from a canceled transaction?
Yes. When you cancel a transaction via a 0 ETH replacement, only the gas fee is spent. Your original funds remain untouched in your wallet.
Will canceling a transaction affect my wallet security?
No. This process uses standard Ethereum protocol features and does not expose private keys or compromise security.
What if my transaction stays pending for days?
If network congestion eases, very low-fee transactions may eventually clear—but there’s no guarantee. Replacing them proactively is safer and faster.
Can I use this method on other EVM-compatible chains?
Absolutely. This technique works on any Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-based network such as Polygon, Binance Smart Chain, Avalanche, Fantom, and Arbitrum.
Does replacing a transaction cost extra?
Yes—you’ll pay gas fees for both the original (unconfirmed) and replacement transactions. However, only the successful one consumes funds; the other simply vanishes from the queue.
Is there a risk of double-spending?
No. Because both transactions share the same nonce, only one can succeed. The network automatically rejects duplicates.
Final Thoughts
Pending Ethereum transactions are frustrating but manageable. With tools like MetaMask and a basic understanding of gas mechanics, you’re fully equipped to resolve stuck transfers quickly and safely.
Remember: timing and gas strategy matter. Being proactive—whether speeding up or canceling—can save you time and improve your overall DeFi experience.
👉 Stay ahead with real-time blockchain analytics and smart transaction planning tools.
By mastering these techniques, you gain greater control over your digital assets and reduce downtime in decentralized applications. Whether you're trading NFTs, swapping tokens, or interacting with smart contracts, knowing how to manage pending transactions is an essential skill in today’s Web3 landscape.