How to fix MetaMask when it's showing an incorrect balance?

Understanding Why MetaMask Displays an Incorrect Balance

When MetaMask shows a balance that doesn’t match your actual holdings, it’s typically due to network synchronization issues, incorrect network selection, or caching errors. The wallet interface relies on connected blockchain nodes to retrieve balance data. If the node is slow, outdated, or unreachable, MetaMask may display stale or incorrect information. Another common cause is being on the wrong network—such as Ethereum Mainnet versus Binance Smart Chain—which affects which tokens and balances are visible. Users might also overlook custom token imports, where non-standard tokens don’t appear unless manually added. Ensuring your wallet is properly synced and configured is the first step toward resolving balance discrepancies.

Switching to the Correct Network

One of the most frequent reasons for an incorrect balance is being connected to the wrong blockchain network. Each network maintains its own ledger, and your wallet address may have different balances across chains. To verify and switch networks:

• Click the network dropdown at the top of the MetaMask extension
• Select the correct network, such as Ethereum Mainnet, Polygon, BNB Smart Chain, or another supported chain
• Confirm that the network name and RPC settings match official sourcesIf the desired network isn’t listed, you may need to add it manually using the 'Add Network' option and input the correct Network Name, RPC URL, Chain ID, Currency Symbol, and Block Explorer URL. After switching, wait a few seconds for the balance to refresh automatically.

  Refreshing the Wallet Balance Manually

  MetaMask does not always update balances in real time. To force a refresh:
• Open the MetaMask extension
• Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner
• Select 'Refresh Balances' from the dropdownThis prompts MetaMask to query the current node for updated balance data. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, try toggling the active account:
• Click your account icon in the top-right
• Switch to a different account and backThis often triggers a re-sync of balance information. Additionally, closing and reopening the MetaMask popup can reload the interface with updated data.

  Clearing Cache and Resetting Account

  Cached data can cause display errors, especially after network changes or token transfers. To clear local cache:
• Open MetaMask settings by clicking the gear icon
• Navigate to 'Advanced'
• Scroll down and click 'Reset Account'This action clears transaction history and cached balance data without affecting your private keys or funds. After resetting, MetaMask will re-sync your balance from the blockchain. Note that this will remove any pending transactions from the interface, so ensure all confirmed transactions are finalized before proceeding.

  Adding Custom Tokens Manually

  If your balance appears incorrect because certain tokens are missing, they may not be automatically detected. ERC-20, BEP-20, or other standard tokens sometimes require manual import:
• Open MetaMask and ensure you’re on the correct network
• Click 'Import Tokens' at the bottom of the assets tab
• Go to the 'Custom Token' tab
• Enter the token’s Contract Address (obtained from a trusted block explorer like Etherscan or BscScan)
• The Token Symbol and Decimals should auto-populate
• Click 'Next', then 'Add Custom Token'Once added, the token balance should appear if funds exist on that contract. Double-check the contract address for accuracy, as fake or incorrect addresses can lead to zero balances or phishing risks.

  Changing the RPC Node or Provider

  MetaMask uses default nodes provided by Infura or Alchemy to communicate with blockchains. These nodes can experience downtime or delays. Switching to a different RPC endpoint may resolve balance sync issues:
• Go to Settings > Networks
• Select the network you’re using (e.g., Ethereum Mainnet)
• Click 'Edit'
• Replace the current RPC URL with an alternative provider’s endpointFor Ethereum, options include:
• https://eth-mainnet.alchemyapi.io/v2/YOUR_KEY
• https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR_KEY
• Public nodes like https://cloudflare-eth.comAfter saving, wait for the balance to reload. You can also add a custom network with a reliable node if the default ones fail consistently.

  Verifying Balance on a Block Explorer

  To confirm whether the issue lies with MetaMask or the actual holdings, cross-check your wallet address on a blockchain explorer:
• Copy your public address from MetaMask
• Visit a trusted explorer like Etherscan.io for Ethereum or BscScan.com for BNB Chain
• Paste your address into the search bar
• Review the 'Token Holdings' and 'ETH Balance' sectionsIf the explorer shows the correct balance but MetaMask does not, the problem is client-side. If both show the same incorrect balance, the funds may not have been sent or confirmed yet. Always verify transaction hashes to ensure transfers were successful.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Why does my MetaMask show zero ETH even though I have funds? This usually happens when you're on a testnet like Ropsten or Goerli, or when the network is not synced. Switch to Ethereum Mainnet and refresh the balance. Also check if you’ve accidentally hidden the ETH asset in the token list.

  Can a slow internet connection affect MetaMask balance display?Yes. MetaMask requires a stable connection to fetch blockchain data. A poor connection can delay balance updates or cause timeouts. Try switching networks or restarting your router to improve connectivity.

  Will resetting my MetaMask account delete my crypto?No. Resetting the account only clears transaction history and cached data. Your private keys, seed phrase, and funds remain secure. The balance will reappear once the wallet re-syncs with the blockchain.

  What should I do if a token I received isn’t showing up?First, ensure you’re on the correct network. Then manually add the token using its contract address from a verified block explorer. If it still doesn’t appear, the sender might have used a non-standard token or the transaction isn’t confirmed.