How do I speed up or cancel a pending transaction on Ethereum?
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Last updated
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Sometimes, Ethereum transactions can get stuck pending — especially when gas fees are low or the network is congested. If you need to speed up or cancel a transaction, your wallet (e.g., MetaMask) can help — but timing is key.
Every Ethereum transaction must be confirmed by the network. If your gas fee is too low, your transaction may stay pending for a long time or get stuck behind others offering higher fees.
You can speed up your pending transaction by submitting the same transaction again with a higher gas fee. This replaces the original and gets it processed faster.
You may also choose to cancel the transaction entirely (if it hasn't already been picked up by the network). This replaces the pending transaction with a zero-value transaction that uses the same nonce.
If you're using MetaMask, here's their official article that walks you through both options:
🔗 MetaMask Guide: How to Speed Up or Cancel a Pending Transaction