FluidRWA Learn
How to Handle a Pending MetaMask Transaction
What you will do
A transaction showing as pending may be waiting for network inclusion, or the wallet display may be out of date. A confirmed transaction cannot be canceled. Check the actual status before sending anything again.
Before you start
The sending wallet, its network, the transaction hash and enough of the network's fee asset if you choose to replace a pending transaction. Never share a recovery phrase or private key.
Step 1: Check the account and network
Open the account that sent the transaction and verify the network. MetaMask's official help recommends restarting and unlocking the wallet if its display appears stuck.
Step 2: Open the transaction details
In Activity, find the relevant transaction and open its details. On recent extension versions, supported networks may show the transaction detail from the submitted notification. Interface names vary by version.
Step 3: Look up the hash
Open the linked block explorer for that network. Check whether the transaction is pending, confirmed or failed. If a receiving exchange initiated the transaction, contact the sender rather than attempting to replace a transaction you do not control.
Step 4: Decide whether to wait
Network demand and the transaction's fee settings can affect inclusion. A pending transaction is not necessarily lost; a fee increase may cost more and does not guarantee immediate confirmation.
Step 5: Consider speed up
If the wallet offers Speed up for the still-pending transaction, review the replacement and increased fee before approving. Both compete for the same account nonce; only one can be included on that chain.
Step 6: Consider cancellation carefully
If MetaMask offers Cancel while the transaction is still pending, review the replacement fee. Cancellation is an attempt, not a guarantee: the original may confirm first. A confirmed transfer cannot be reversed this way.
Step 7: Confirm the final outcome
Check the explorer and wallet for the outcome of the original and any replacement. Do not resend payment until you know whether the first one executed. A successful chain transaction is not automatically proof that a separate exchange credited the deposit.
Check your work
Record the network, transaction hash and final status. If the situation remains unclear, contact the wallet or receiving service through its verified support channel.
FAQs
Will cancellation always work?
No. A replacement must be accepted and included before the original; the original may confirm first.
Should I share my recovery phrase with support?
Never. Anyone asking for it can take control of the wallet.