Guide

How to Cancel a Pending Ethereum Transaction (Visual Guide)

Updated: May 22, 2025

Published: May 20, 2025

At some point, we’ve all dealt with a transaction getting stuck, even on blockchains like Ethereum. It can be quite frustrating, but knowing how to cancel a pending Ethereum transaction is actually much easier than most people think. Today, we’ll walk you through how to do it in just 3 easy steps.

Now, you might be wondering why a blockchain like Ethereum would face such an issue. You will be surprised to know that, as of January 1st, 2025, there are over 163k pending transactions, according to Etherescan. This number will decrease or increase as more transactions are either processed or get stuck. Nevertheless, quite a few transactions have been stuck. That's why knowing how to cancel a particular transaction can be useful.

TL;DR

To cancel a stuck Ethereum transaction in Metamask, enable custom nonce in settings, find the pending transaction's nonce, and send a 0 ETH transaction to your own wallet with the same nonce and higher gas fees. Ensure you have enough ETH for fees, and this simple process resolves delays quickly.

Video Tutorial

Quick Step-by-Step Flow Chart

For those looking for a quick overview, here’s a step-by-step flow chart that outlines the entire process at a glance. Refer to this chart if you want a visual guide to follow alongside the detailed steps below.

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Click Here for the Full High-Resolution Flow Chart

Before we begin, there are a few important things you need to understand regarding transactions.

Understanding Transactions

Before we start, here's an easy guide to help you manage Ethereum transactions effectively:

Finality of Transactions
- Once confirmed on the Ethereum blockchain, a transaction cannot be changed or undone.
- Always review details carefully before proceeding.
Dealing with Delays
- High network activity can cause delays in processing transactions.
- Sometimes, a transaction may remain in a pending state for hours or longer.
Cancelling Pending Transactions
- If a transaction gets stuck, you need enough ETH in your wallet to cover network fees for the cancellation process.
- Plan ahead and ensure you have extra ETH in your account for such cases.
Breaking Down Gas Fees Ethereum fees depend on three factors:
1. Gas Cost
  - Measures the work needed to complete your transaction.
2. Gas Price
  - Determines how much you are willing to pay for each unit of work.
  - Paying more usually results in faster processing.
3. Gas Limit
  - Sets the maximum amount you agree to pay for the transaction as a whole.
  - If your set price is too low, your transaction may remain unprocessed if others offer higher prices.
Transaction Queue Impact
- A pending transaction will block new ones from the same wallet until it is processed.
- It's important to resolve stuck transactions quickly to avoid delays with future transfers.

This guide will help you handle transactions confidently and avoid common bottlenecks. With that said, let's get started. For this guide, we'll be using a Metamask wallet.

Step 1: Change the Settings

To start, you need to make a few changes to your Metamask wallet settings.

Start off by opening your Metamask Wallet app and tapping on the gear icon in the bottom right-hand corner.

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Now, tap on the "Advanced" option.

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Toggle the "Customize transaction nonce" switch to on.

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After that, toggle the "Smart Transactions" switch to off (temporarily).

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Step 2: Find the Nonce

Now, you need to find the nonce id of the Ethereum transaction.

Go to the "Recent Transaction" list.

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Tap on your pending Ethereum transaction.

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Note the nonce of that transaction.

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Step 3: Cancel the Pending Ethereum Transaction

Once all of the above preparations are complete, you can proceed to learn how to cancel a pending Ethereum transaction.

Go to the home page of your Metamask wallet and copy your wallet address.

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After that, go to the swap section and tap on the "Send" option.

Paste the previously copied wallet address in the recipient section.

Enter the 0 Eth and tap the "Next" button.

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Tap on the "Edit" option next to nonce.

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Change the nonce to the nonce of the transaction, which is stuck and tap on the "Save" button.

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Now, tap on the gas fee amount.

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Change the gas fee to "Aggressive" and tap on the "Save" button.

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After that, tap on the "Send" button.

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Once the transaction is processed, the previously stuck Ethereum transaction will be cancelled.

Wrapping Up

Stuck Ethereum transactions can be inconvenient, but resolving them is a manageable process if you follow the right steps. With this guide, you now have a clear method to cancel such transactions using your Metamask wallet, ensuring your activities on the blockchain proceed without unnecessary delays.

By understanding key concepts like gas fees and transaction nonces, you can confidently handle any interruptions and maintain smooth operations within your wallet. Preparation, patience, and attention to detail will make this process seamless and stress-free.

The next time you encounter a stuck transaction, revisit this guide, follow the outlined steps, and proceed with confidence. Your blockchain interactions don't have to be hindered by minor hiccups—proactive management makes all the difference. If you want to learn more tutorials, check out Cryptonary's guides in the CryptoSchool section.

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