How to Cancel Pending Transaction on MetaMask in 2023

Have you ever sent a transaction on MetaMask, only to realize that you was on pending rather than showing successful? Maybe you sent the wrong amount, or maybe you sent the transaction to the wrong address. If this has happened to you, you may be wondering how to cancel the pending transaction.

In this article, I will show you how to cancel a pending transaction on MetaMask in 2023. I will also discuss some of the reasons why pending transactions occur, and how you can prevent them from happening in the future.

Overview Of MetaMask

MetaMask is a cryptocurrency wallet that allows you to store, send, and receive Ethereum and other ERC-20 tokens. It is a browser extension that can be installed on Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge.

MetaMask is a non-custodial wallet, which means that you have full control over your private keys. This means that you are responsible for the security of your wallet, but it also means that you have complete control over your funds.

MetaMask is a popular wallet for interacting with decentralized applications (dapps). Dapps are applications that run on the Ethereum blockchain. They can be used for a variety of purposes, such as trading cryptocurrencies, playing games, and accessing financial services.

To use MetaMask, you will need to create a new wallet. You will be prompted to create a password and a mnemonic phrase. The mnemonic phrase is a set of 12 words that you will need to back up in a safe place. If you lose your mnemonic phrase, you will lose access to your funds.

Once you have created a wallet, you can start interacting with the Ethereum blockchain. You can send and receive ETH and ERC-20 tokens, and you can connect to dapps.

MetaMask is a secure and easy-to-use wallet for interacting with the Ethereum blockchain. It is a popular choice for both beginners and experienced users.

Reasons For Pending Transactions On MetaMask 

Pending transactions on MetaMask can arise due to a variety of reasons, often stemming from the complex and dynamic nature of blockchain networks. Understanding these reasons can help users navigate and manage pending transactions more effectively. Here are some common factors that contribute to pending transactions on MetaMask:

• Network Congestion: High network activity can lead to congestion on the blockchain, causing delays in transaction processing. During peak times, such as when popular decentralized applications (DApps) experience heavy usage or when there are significant market movements, transactions may take longer to confirm.
• Insufficient Gas Fees: Gas fees are essential for miners to process and verify transactions. If the gas fee attached to a transaction is too low, miners might prioritize other transactions with higher fees, causing yours to remain pending until it’s confirmed.
• Nonce Issues: Each transaction on the blockchain has a unique nonce, which ensures the correct order of transactions. If transactions with higher nonces are pending or unconfirmed, subsequent transactions may be delayed as well.
• Smart Contract Interactions: Interacting with smart contracts, especially complex ones, can result in longer confirmation times. Smart contracts often involve multiple steps and calculations, which require additional time for verification.
• Network Upgrades: Occasionally, blockchain networks undergo upgrades or hard forks, which can temporarily impact transaction processing. During these periods, transactions may experience delays or require adjustments to gas fees.
• External Factors: Network disruptions, connectivity issues, or technical glitches on either the user’s end or the blockchain network can also lead to pending transactions.
• Gas Price Fluctuations: Gas prices can fluctuate based on supply and demand. If gas prices suddenly spike, it might be necessary to wait until the network activity subsides or adjust the gas fee accordingly.
• Pending Transactions in Queue: If there are multiple pending transactions associated with an address, miners will typically process them in the order they were received. This can result in delays if the transaction queue is long.
• Nonces and Transaction Acceleration: Incorrect nonce management or attempting to accelerate a transaction before its predecessor is confirmed can lead to pending transactions.
• Blockchain Network Selection: Choosing an appropriate blockchain network (mainnet, testnet) is crucial. Transactions initiated on a testnet, for example, will not affect the mainnet and vice versa.

Managing pending transactions effectively involves a combination of monitoring gas prices, optimizing transaction settings, and being patient during periods of high network congestion. 

Read Also: Umba Login With Phone Number, Email, Online Portal, Website

How to Cancel a Pending Transaction on MetaMask

Here are the steps on how to cancel a pending transaction on MetaMask:

1. Open the MetaMask extension.
2. Click on the Pending tab.
3. Select the transaction that you want to cancel.
4. Click on the Cancel button.

If you are unable to cancel the transaction, you can try increasing the gas price of the transaction. You can also wait for the transaction to time out. If the transaction has been pending for more than 24 hours, it will automatically time out and be canceled.

FAQS

How do I cancel a pending withdrawal on MetaMask?

To cancel a pending withdrawal on MetaMask, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the MetaMask extension.
2. Click on the Pending tab.
3. Select the withdrawal that you want to cancel.
4. Click on the Cancel button.

If you are unable to cancel the withdrawal, you can try increasing the gas price of the withdrawal. You can also wait for the withdrawal to time out. If the withdrawal has been pending for more than 24 hours, it will automatically time out and be canceled.

Why won’t MetaMask let me cancel pending transaction?

There are a few reasons why MetaMask might not let you cancel a pending transaction. One reason is that the transaction may have already been confirmed by the network. If this is the case, you will not be able to cancel the transaction.

Another reason why MetaMask might not let you cancel a pending transaction is that you may not have enough ETH in your wallet to cover the gas fees for the cancellation. If this is the case, you will need to add more ETH to your wallet before you can cancel the transaction.

How do I fix a stuck pending transaction on MetaMask?

There are a few things you can do to try to fix a stuck pending transaction on MetaMask.

• Increase the gas price: If the gas price of the transaction is too low, it may be stuck. You can try increasing the gas price to see if this will help the transaction to go through.
• Wait for the network to clear: If the network is congested, it may be causing your transaction to be stuck. You can try waiting for the network to clear before you try to send the transaction again.
• Contact MetaMask support: If you have tried the above steps and your transaction is still stuck, you can contact MetaMask support for assistance.

Can pending transaction be Cancelled?

Yes, pending transactions can be cancelled on MetaMask. However, you can only cancel a pending transaction if it has not yet been confirmed by the network. If the transaction has already been confirmed, it cannot be cancelled.

How do I void a pending transaction?

To void a pending transaction on MetaMask, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the MetaMask extension.
2. Click on the Pending tab.
3. Select the transaction that you want to void.
4. Click on the Void button.

Once you have voided the transaction, it will be removed from your MetaMask wallet. However, you will not be refunded the gas fees that you paid for the transaction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are a few steps that you can take to cancel a pending transaction on MetaMask. If you are unable to cancel the transaction, you can try increasing the gas price, waiting for the transaction to time out, or contacting MetaMask support for assistance.