Cryptocurrency transactions are designed to be fast, transparent, and free from the constraints of traditional banking systems. However, there are times when crypto transactions don’t go as planned, leaving users frustrated when their transfers get stuck in the network, delayed by hours or even days.
This article discusses the complexities of blockchain networks, troubleshooting, and step-by-step solutions to address stuck transactions, ensuring you have a robust understanding of how to manage and prevent such occurrences.
How Blockchain Transactions Work
A blockchain is a distributed ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers. When you initiate a transaction, it is broadcast to the network and sits in the mempool (short for memory pool), awaiting confirmation. Miners (or validators, depending on the consensus mechanism) pick up transactions from the mempool, validate them, and include them in a block that is added to the blockchain.
Each blockchain operates under a specific consensus mechanism, such as:
Proof of Work (PoW)
In networks like Bitcoin, miners compete to solve complex mathematical problems, and the winner gets the right to add the next block to the blockchain.
Proof of Stake (PoS)
In PoS systems like Ethereum 2.0, validators are chosen based on the amount of cryptocurrency they hold and are willing to “stake” as collateral.
When your transaction is included in a block and added to the chain, it is considered confirmed. The speed of this process depends on several factors, including transaction fees, network congestion, and the size of the transaction.
How Long Does a Transaction Typically Take?
On most blockchains, transactions are processed within a few minutes to an hour, depending on the fee you attach and the network’s current state. For instance:
Bitcoin
Transaction confirmation times can range from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on network congestion and the fee offered.
Ethereum
Transactions can be confirmed in under a minute or take longer, especially during high-traffic periods when gas fees surge.
However, sometimes, a transaction may remain pending for an extended period, leading to frustration. But why does this happen?
Common Reasons for Stuck Crypto Transactions
Several factors can lead to a cryptocurrency transaction getting stuck in the mempool without confirmation. Understanding these reasons will help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
1. Low Transaction Fee
The most common reason for a stuck transaction is that the attached fee is too low. Each blockchain network has a fluctuating market for transaction fees. When demand for block space is high, miners (or validators) prioritize transactions with higher fees, pushing lower-fee transactions further down the line.
For example, if the Bitcoin network is experiencing heavy usage, miners will prioritize transactions offering the highest fees. If your transaction has a fee lower than the current average, it may remain unconfirmed for hours or days, sitting in the mempool until miners decide to pick it up.
2. Network Congestion
Blockchains are not immune to traffic jams. During periods of high demand—such as bull markets, major token launches, or popular decentralized finance (DeFi) events—network congestion can cause transaction delays. During these times, even if you attach a reasonable fee, your transaction might still take longer than usual to confirm.
For instance, during the peak of DeFi activity in mid-2021, Ethereum users faced astronomical gas fees and delays as the network struggled to accommodate the surge in transactions.
3. Insufficient Gas Limit (Ethereum)
In Ethereum, the gas limit refers to the maximum amount of gas you are willing to spend for a transaction or smart contract interaction. If you set the gas limit too low, the transaction may fail. This issue commonly arises when interacting with smart contracts that require more computational resources than anticipated. In such cases, your transaction could get stuck in the pending state.
4. Double-Spending Attempts
Double-spending occurs when the same cryptocurrency is spent twice. Blockchain networks are designed to prevent double-spending by rejecting conflicting transactions. However, users may unintentionally create double-spending conflicts, leading to one or more transactions getting stuck in the mempool.
This issue may arise when users try to replace a transaction without properly canceling or overriding the initial transaction, leading to conflicts in the transaction inputs.
5. Nonce Conflicts (Ethereum)
In Ethereum, each transaction is assigned a unique identifier called a nonce, which reflects the total number of transactions sent from a particular address. If two transactions from the same address have the same nonce, one may be left pending indefinitely until the nonce issue is resolved.
Nonce conflicts can occur if you submit two transactions in quick succession, and the second transaction accidentally overwrites the nonce of the first, causing one of them to become stuck.
Step-by-Step Solutions for Stuck Crypto Transactions
When your crypto transaction gets stuck, there are several methods you can use to resolve the issue, depending on the cause of the delay. Below is a step-by-step guide to addressing stuck transactions across multiple blockchain networks.
Step 1- Check the Status of Your Transaction
Before taking any action, it’s important to determine the current status of your transaction. Blockchain explorers allow you to track and monitor transactions in real-time, providing insight into whether your transaction is pending, confirmed, or failed.
Popular blockchain explorers include:
Bitcoin
Blockchain.com, Mempool.space
Ethereum
Etherscan.io
Binance Smart Chain
BscScan.com
What to Look For:
Pending
The transaction is still in the mempool, waiting for miners to pick it up.
Confirmed
The transaction has been included in a block and is finalized.
Failed/Dropped
The transaction was rejected by the network (common in Ethereum if the gas limit was too low).
Checking the transaction status will give you a clear idea of whether it’s genuinely stuck or simply experiencing a delay.
Step 2: Increase the Transaction Fee (Replace-by-Fee, RBF)
If your transaction is pending because the fee was too low, one of the most effective solutions is to increase the transaction fee using the Replace-by-Fee (RBF)feature. RBF allows you to resend the same transaction with a higher fee to incentivize miners to prioritize it.
How to Use RBF
1. Check if Your Wallet Supports RBF
Not all wallets support Replace-by-Fee. Ensure that your wallet or exchange offers this feature.
2. Locate the Pending Transaction
In your wallet, navigate to the pending transaction you want to speed up.
3. Increase the Fee
Choose the option to “replace” or “increase” the fee. Be sure to set a fee that is competitive with the current market rate for faster confirmation.
4. Resend the Transaction
Confirm the updated transaction, and it will be broadcast to the network with a higher fee.
Once miners pick up the new transaction, the original low-fee transaction will be replaced, and your transfer will be confirmed.
Wallets That Support RBF:
– Electrum (for Bitcoin)
– Ledger Live
– BlueWallet (for Bitcoin)
Step 3: Cancel the Transaction (For Ethereum or Compatible Networks)
If you’re using Ethereum, and the transaction remains pending due to low gas fees or a nonce issue, you can attempt to cancel it by submitting a new transaction with the same nonce but a higher gas fee. This effectively overrides the original transaction and returns the funds to your wallet.
Steps to Cancel a Transaction
1. Find the Nonce
Using a blockchain explorer like Etherscan, find the nonce of the pending transaction.
2. Initiate a New Transaction
From your wallet, create a new transaction sending 0 ETH to your address.
3. Set a Higher Gas Fee
In the new transaction, set a gas fee higher than what was used in the original transaction.
4. Use the Same Nonce
Ensure that the new transaction uses the same nonce as the pending one.
5. Broadcast the Transaction
Submit the new transaction and wait for confirmation.
Once the new transaction is confirmed, the original stuck transaction will be canceled, and your funds will be available again.
Step 4: Use a Transaction Accelerator
You can use a third-party transaction accelerator if you’re dealing with a stuck Bitcoin transaction. These services work by broadcasting your transaction to mining pools and offering additional incentives to miners to prioritize it.
How to Use a Transaction Accelerator
1. Enter the Transaction ID (TXID)
Provide the transaction ID of your pending transaction.
2. Submit the Request: Depending on the service, you may need to pay a small fee or offer a donation to speed up the transaction.
3. Wait for Confirmation: Once miners pick up your transaction, it will be included in a block.
While accelerators can be effective, they are not always guaranteed to work, especially during periods of high network congestion.
How to Prevent Stuck Transactions
Preventing stuck transactions involves understanding how to optimize fees, staying informed about network conditions, and using tools for greater flexibility.
Here are some strategies to significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing a stuck transaction.
1. Monitor Network Congestion
One of the leading causes of stuck transactions is network congestion, which occurs when the number of transactions being sent exceeds the blockchain’s capacity to process them. Congestion often leads to delays and can result in your transaction being stuck in the mempool for an extended period.
To avoid sending transactions during high network activity:
– Use Blockchain Explorers
Tools like Etherscan (for Ethereum) or Blockchain.info (for Bitcoin) provide real-time data on network activity, including the current number of pending transactions and the average confirmation time.
Monitoring these platforms before initiating a transaction can give you a better idea of whether the network is congested. If it’s highly congested, consider waiting until traffic decreases before sending your transaction.
– Avoid Peak Times
Just like traditional payment systems, blockchains can experience peak times, especially during significant market movements, ICO (Initial Coin Offering) launches, or NFT (Non-Fungible Token) sales.
Avoid sending transactions during these periods, as competition for block space can be fierce, causing fees to rise and confirmations to slow down.
2. Set Appropriate Transaction Fees
Transaction fees play a role in how quickly your transaction is picked up and confirmed by miners or validators. Setting fees that are too low is one of the primary reasons transactions get stuck in the mempool.
To ensure your transaction is confirmed on time, do the following:
– Use Fee Estimators: Most modern wallets and blockchain explorers come with built-in fee estimators that suggest the optimal fee for your transaction based on current network conditions. These estimators analyze the mempool and provide various options, from low-priority to high-priority fees. By selecting the appropriate fee tier for your needs (e.g., fast confirmation vs. cost-saving), you can avoid having your transaction stuck due to insufficient fees.
– Understand Gas and Fee Markets: On networks like Ethereum, transactions require gas, Which is needed to process the transaction. The amount of gas you pay determines how quickly your transaction will be processed. If you set a gas price too low, especially during congested periods, miners may deprioritize your transaction, leaving it unconfirmed for hours or even days. Familiarize yourself with how gas fees fluctuate and adjust accordingly.
3. Use Layer 2 Solutions
As blockchain networks grow, scalability becomes a significant concern, often leading to congestion and high fees. Layer 2 solutions aim to solve these problems by processing transactions off the main blockchain, reducing congestion and lowering costs.
If you frequently interact with congested blockchains like Ethereum, consider using Layer 2 networks:
– Roll-ups
Roll-ups bundle multiple transactions and process them off-chain before submitting a single batch to the main blockchain. This reduces the load on the main network while lowering fees and increasing transaction speed. Platforms like Optimism and Arbitrum offer roll-up solutions for Ethereum users.
– Sidechains
Sidechains are independent blockchains that are connected to the main blockchain (or Layer 1) and can handle transactions more efficiently. Transactions are processed on the sidechain, which helps reduce congestion on the main network. For instance, Polygon is a popular sidechain solution for Ethereum that offers faster and cheaper transactions.
– State Channels: State channels allow participants to transact off-chain, only submitting the final result to the main blockchain. This method can significantly reduce the number of transactions clogging the network, thereby reducing fees and confirmation times. Applications using state channels include payment networks like Lightning Network for Bitcoin and Raiden for Ethereum.
4. Choose the Right Blockchain for Your Needs
Not all blockchains are created equal, and some are more prone to congestion and delays than others.
If you frequently encounter stuck transactions or high fees, it may be worth considering alternative blockchains that better suit your needs. Some alternative blockchains include:
– High-Throughput Blockchains: Some blockchains, like Solana, Binance Smart Chain (BSC), or Avalanche, are designed to handle a higher volume of transactions per second (TPS) than networks like Ethereum or Bitcoin. These high-throughput blockchains often experience less congestion and offer faster transaction speeds at lower costs.
– Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) Networks: Blockchains that use Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS), such as EOS or TRON, offer faster transaction times and lower fees by relying on a smaller set of trusted validators. This consensus mechanism allows for more scalable transaction processing, making your transaction less likely to get stuck.
5. Use Wallets with Advanced Features
Not all wallets are equal when it comes to preventing stuck transactions. Choosing a wallet with advanced features can significantly improve your experience by giving you greater control over transaction settings.
Here’s how advanced wallets can help:
– Customizable Fees: Wallets with customizable fee settings allow you to manually set your gas price or transaction fee and pay more for faster confirmation or less if time isn’t an issue. This can be particularly useful if you understand the nuances of gas fees and mempool activity.
– Transaction Acceleration Services: Some wallets or third-party services offer transaction acceleration, a process where your stuck transaction is prioritized by miners in exchange for a higher fee. By using these services, you can avoid waiting indefinitely for confirmation.
6. Split Large Transactions
If you’re conducting a large transaction, whether it’s transferring a significant amount of cryptocurrency or interacting with a complex smart contract, splitting the transaction into smaller parts can help reduce the risk of it getting stuck.
Larger transactions often require more gas and may face delays, especially during periods of high network activity. By breaking the transaction into smaller, more manageable chunks, you can increase the likelihood that they’ll be processed quickly.
For example, instead of sending one large Ethereum transaction that consumes a significant amount of gas, you could break it up into several smaller transactions with appropriately sized gas fees. This method ensures that if one transaction gets stuck, the rest can still go through, reducing your overall risk.
7. Use Gas Tokens (For Ethereum Users)
On the Ethereum network, gas tokens can help reduce the cost of gas fees during periods of high congestion. Gas tokens allow users to store gas when prices are low and redeem it when gas prices rise. This can provide savings during periods of high network congestion when gas prices spike, making it easier to submit transactions without overpaying.
While gas tokens aren’t widely used by everyday users, they can be beneficial for developers and users who frequently interact with Ethereum’s smart contract ecosystem. By saving on gas fees, you can set more competitive fees during congested periods, reducing the chances of having your transaction stuck in the mempool.
Conclusion
Stuck cryptocurrency transactions can be a frustrating experience, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can resolve them quickly and prevent future occurrences. By understanding how blockchain transactions work, monitoring network conditions, and using advanced wallet features like Replace-by-Fee and nonce management, you can ensure smooth and timely transfers.
Additionally, staying informed about fees, congestion levels, and available solutions will help you navigate the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency. Whether you’re a casual user or a frequent trader, these strategies will help you to take control of your transactions and minimize delays.
