Why is my MetaMask transaction pending?

A MetaMask transaction pending for a long time usually means the network has not picked it up yet. MetaMask's help pages point to three common causes: a gas fee too low for current demand, not enough of the network's own coin to pay for gas, and occasional software problems. In most cases the funds have not left your wallet.

Why is my MetaMask transaction stuck?

On Ethereum, a transaction must offer at least the current base fee per unit of gas to be eligible for a block. Ethereum.org explains that the base fee can rise by up to 12.5% per block when blocks are full. If demand jumps after you sign, your offer can fall behind and the transaction sits waiting. The basics of the fee are in what are gas fees.

A second cause is order. Each account has a nonce, a counter that numbers its transactions, and they must confirm in sequence. If an earlier transaction is stuck, every later one queues behind it, even if you gave the later ones a generous fee. MetaMask also lists a wallet short of ETH or another gas token as a reason, a problem covered in insufficient funds for gas.

Before changing anything, MetaMask suggests closing and reopening the browser or app and unlocking the wallet again. Looking up the transaction hash on a block explorer also tells you whether the network has seen it at all.

How do you speed up a MetaMask transaction?

Use the Speed up option on the pending transaction. MetaMask resubmits the same transaction with the same nonce and a higher fee, so only one version can confirm and you do not pay twice. As of November 2026, MetaMask says a replacement needs a priority fee at least 10% higher and a max fee at least 30% higher than the original. Newer extension versions place these buttons in the transaction detail view on networks such as Ethereum, Linea, BNB Smart Chain, Arbitrum, Base and Polygon.

How do you cancel a pending MetaMask transaction?

Choose Cancel while the transaction is still pending. If that does not work, MetaMask describes sending a zero-value transaction to your own address using the stuck transaction's nonce and a higher fee. You have to start with the oldest pending nonce. Editing the nonce requires turning off Smart Transactions in settings on Ethereum Mainnet and BNB Smart Chain. Once a transaction confirms, it cannot be cancelled.

Should you clear activity and nonce data?

The extension has a developer setting called Delete activity and nonce data. MetaMask says it wipes the app's record of transactions on the current network, including pending ones, and that you will not lose value in your accounts. It is not reversible, and MetaMask advises using it only when its support team asks, and only if the stuck transaction does not appear on a block explorer. If a transaction failed rather than stalled, see why did my crypto transaction fail.