How long does it take to unstake from Lido?

Unstaking from Lido typically takes several days to weeks due to Ethereum's withdrawal queue, though instant withdrawals are available for a fee.

Jul 23, 2025 at 04:08 pm

Understanding the Unstaking Process on Lido

Lido Finance is a popular decentralized liquid staking solution that allows users to stake assets like Ethereum (ETH) without locking up their funds. Instead of waiting for the traditional staking withdrawal period, users receive stETH, a tokenized version of their staked ETH, which can be used in DeFi protocols or traded. However, when users wish to convert their stETH back to ETH, they must go through the unstaking process, which has specific timeframes and conditions.

The time required to unstake from Lido depends on several factors, including network congestion, the current unstaking queue, and whether the user chooses to use the instant withdrawal feature (if available).

Standard Unstaking Timeframe

When initiating an unstaking request on Lido, users typically enter a withdrawal queue. This queue exists because the underlying Ethereum network has a limit on how much can be withdrawn per epoch, which is approximately every 6.4 minutes. As a result, the unstaking process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on how many users are also trying to unstake at the same time.

The actual time varies dynamically, so users must check the current estimated unstaking time before proceeding. This information is usually displayed in real-time on the Lido dashboard when a user attempts to unstake.

Instant Withdrawal Option

To address the delays caused by the withdrawal queue, Lido offers an instant withdrawal feature for certain tokens. This option allows users to swap their stETH directly for ETH immediately, but it usually comes with a small fee or slippage due to market conditions.

• Users must connect their wallet to the Lido platform and navigate to the unstake section.
• Select the amount of stETH they wish to unstake.
• Choose the instant withdrawal option if available.
• Approve the transaction and pay the gas fee.

This process typically completes within minutes, assuming the feature is active and sufficient liquidity exists in the pool.

Traditional Unstaking Without Instant Withdrawal

If the instant withdrawal feature is not available or if the user prefers not to use it, the traditional unstaking method must be followed. This involves placing the request in the Ethereum network's withdrawal queue.

• The user initiates the unstaking request via the Lido interface.
• The system submits the request to the beacon chain.
• Once the request is processed and the withdrawal epoch arrives, the ETH is sent to the user's wallet.

The wait time can be viewed directly on the Lido dashboard and is calculated based on current network throughput and queue length.

Factors That Influence Unstaking Time

Several variables can impact how long it takes to unstake from Lido:

• Network congestion – High demand for withdrawals can increase the queue length significantly.
• Validator count – More validators mean faster processing of withdrawal requests.
• Gas prices – Although gas fees do not directly affect the unstaking time, they influence how quickly a user submits their request.
• Instant withdrawal availability – Market conditions and liquidity provider participation determine whether this option is viable.

How to Monitor Your Unstaking Request

After initiating a traditional unstaking request, users can monitor the progress through the Lido dashboard or by using a blockchain explorer like Etherscan.

• Visit the Lido website and connect the wallet used for unstaking.
• Navigate to the “Withdrawals” section.
• Check the status of the request and the estimated completion time.
• Use a blockchain explorer to verify the transaction hash and see if the ETH has been released from the beacon chain.

This tracking feature helps users stay informed about the progress of their unstaking without needing to contact support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I cancel an unstaking request after it has been submitted?

A: No, once an unstaking request is submitted to the Ethereum network, it cannot be canceled. The process must complete as per the network's rules.

Q: Is there a minimum amount required to unstake from Lido?

A: No, Lido allows users to unstake any amount of stETH, even fractions of a token. There is no minimum threshold.

Q: Are there fees for unstaking from Lido?

A: Lido does not charge a protocol fee for unstaking. However, using the instant withdrawal feature may involve a small slippage cost or fee depending on market conditions.

Q: What happens if I lose internet access after initiating an unstaking request?

A: The unstaking process continues on the blockchain regardless of your connection. You can check the status of your request later by reconnecting and accessing the Lido dashboard or a blockchain explorer.