Why is my balance not showing in MetaMask?

Understanding Common Reasons for Missing Balances in MetaMask

1. The most frequent cause of a missing balance is being connected to the wrong network. MetaMask supports multiple blockchains such as Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, and others. If your tokens reside on one network but your wallet is set to another, the balance will not appear. Always verify that the network selected matches where your assets are stored.

2. Another possibility is incorrect token addition. Custom tokens require precise contract addresses, decimals, and symbols. A typo in the contract address can result in a zero or phantom balance. Recheck the official source for the correct token details and re-add it if necessary.

3. Browser or app glitches may also interfere with balance display. Refreshing the extension, restarting the browser, or reinstalling the MetaMask app can resolve temporary UI issues that prevent accurate balance rendering.

4. Sometimes, RPC (Remote Procedure Call) endpoints used by MetaMask to communicate with a blockchain become overloaded or unresponsive. Switching to a more stable custom RPC or waiting for service restoration might bring back the visibility of your funds.

5. Account selection errors occur when users have multiple accounts within MetaMask. Ensure you're viewing the correct account address where the funds were actually sent. Transactions to the wrong account within the same wallet are irreversible.

Your Private Keys Are Safe – But Your Inputs Might Not Be

1. MetaMask does not store your private keys or control your funds. If your balance isn’t showing, it’s typically a display or configuration problem—not a loss of assets. As long as you have your seed phrase and know the correct address, your cryptocurrency remains on the blockchain.

2. Never share your seed phrase or private key with anyone, even if prompted by a site claiming to restore your balance. Phishing attempts often mimic wallet interfaces to steal credentials. Always access MetaMask through the official extension or app.

3. Bookmark the official MetaMask website and avoid clicking on ads or links from unknown sources. Fake versions of wallet platforms frequently trick users into entering sensitive information.

4. Use hardware wallets like Ledger in conjunction with MetaMask for added security when managing significant holdings. This reduces exposure of private keys to potentially compromised devices.

5. Enable two-factor authentication on associated email accounts and use strong, unique passwords to protect recovery options linked to your digital identity.

How To Recover Visibility of Hidden Balances

1. Navigate to the “Settings” menu in MetaMask and select “Networks.” Confirm whether the active network aligns with the blockchain where your assets exist. For example, USDT on BSC requires the Binance Smart Chain network to be enabled and selected.

2. Click “Add Token” under the “Assets” tab and input the exact contract address for any ERC-20, BEP-20, or other standard tokens. Validate this address using trusted explorers like Etherscan, BscScan, or Polygonscan.

3. Manually add a custom RPC if default nodes fail. Reliable providers include Infura, Alchemy, or public endpoints maintained by blockchain foundations. Configure them under “Custom RPC” settings with accurate chain ID and currency symbol.

4. Clear the cache in the MetaMask mobile app or use incognito mode in browsers to rule out cached data conflicts. Extensions sometimes retain outdated state information after updates.

5. Import your account into another wallet interface—such as Trust Wallet or Coin98—using the same seed phrase to cross-verify balances. This helps determine if the issue is specific to MetaMask’s interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my transaction history show activity but no balance? This usually means tokens were received but are not properly displayed due to missing token contracts. Add the token manually using its verified contract address to restore visibility.

Can I lose crypto if it doesn’t appear in MetaMask? No. Cryptocurrency exists on the blockchain, not inside the wallet application. As long as you control the private keys or recovery phrase, your funds are secure even if not visible in the UI.

What should I do if my ETH balance is zero but I own other tokens? Some tokens cannot be seen without ETH for gas fees because interactions require execution. Even if ETH isn’t needed for display, certain networks may delay syncing token balances without native coin presence.

Does changing networks affect my existing tokens? Switching networks only changes the view; it doesn’t move funds. However, tokens must be bridged across chains intentionally. Make sure you’re checking the correct chain where the tokens were originally deposited.