How to Modify or Cancel a Pending Transaction on the Ethereum Network

While blockchain is known for its immutability, Ethereum gives users a small window to make amendment only if the transaction is still at pending stage. The user can\'t literally cancel an Ethereum transaction in the traditional sense, but there are effective methods to achieve the desired outcome. This guide will walk you through how to modify or "cancel" a pending Ethereum transaction.

Understanding Pending Transactions

A pending Ethereum transaction needs to receive a certain number of confirmations. Confirmations are the number of blocks created since the first block that included this transaction. The higher the gas fee, the greater the certainty that the Ethereum network processed and recognized the transaction. When a transaction is stuck, it means it hasn\'t been confirmed and is still awaiting processing. This often happens due to low gas fees.

"Canceling" a Pending Ethereum Transaction

The trick to “cancel” your pending transaction is by replacing the transaction with another 0 ETH transaction with a higher gas fee sending to yourself with the same nonce as the pending transaction. In fact, it consists of replacing a pending Ethereum transaction.

Steps to "Cancel" a Transaction Using Metamask

1. To cancel a stuck Ethereum transaction in Metamask, enable custom nonce in settings. Navigate to Settings -> Advanced and enable "Customize transaction nonce".
2. Find the pending transaction\'s nonce. Check Your Pending Transactions: Use a block explorer like Etherscan to view your pending transactions and identify its nonce. The nonce is a number indicating the order of your transactions.
3. Send a 0 ETH transaction to your own address. Create a new transaction sending 0 ETH to your own address.
4. Use the same nonce as the stuck transaction. In the Metamask transaction details, enter the nonce you identified in step 2.
5. Increase the Gas Fee. Set a significantly higher gas fee than the original transaction. This incentivizes miners to process the new transaction first.
6. Submit the Transaction. Confirm and submit the 0 ETH transaction.

Modifying a Pending Transaction (Indirectly)

While you can\'t directly modify the data of a pending transaction, the cancellation method effectively replaces it. Follow these steps:

1. Check Your Pending Transactions: Use a block explorer like Etherscan to view your pending transactions.
2. Create a new transaction with the desired changes. Make sure this new transaction uses the same nonce as the pending one.
3. Set a higher gas fee than the original transaction.
4. Send the new transaction. The higher gas fee should incentivize miners to prioritize this new transaction, effectively replacing the old one.

Important Considerations

• Gas Fees: Always consider network congestion when setting gas fees. A higher gas fee increases the likelihood of faster processing.
• Nonce Management: Incorrect nonce management can lead to transaction failures or unexpected behavior. Ensure you understand the nonce concept thoroughly.
• Ver más: For more detailed information and troubleshooting, refer to the documentation of your wallet and the Ethereum network.