What to do if Phantom transaction fails? Gas fee adjustment and network congestion solution

If your Phantom transaction fails, check its status, adjust gas fees, or wait out network congestion; reschedule or cancel if needed.

May 19, 2025 at 04:42 am

If you're facing issues with a Phantom transaction failing, it can be frustrating and concerning. Phantom, a popular wallet for Solana and other blockchains, may encounter transaction failures due to various reasons such as gas fee issues or network congestion. In this article, we will explore detailed solutions to help you address these problems effectively.

Understanding Phantom Transaction Failures

Phantom transactions can fail for multiple reasons, with gas fee adjustments and network congestion being two of the most common causes. Gas fees are the costs associated with processing transactions on a blockchain, and if these fees are set too low, your transaction might not be processed in a timely manner or at all. On the other hand, network congestion occurs when there is a high volume of transactions pending on the blockchain, leading to delays and potential failures.

Checking Your Transaction Status

Before diving into solutions, it's crucial to check the status of your transaction. Here's how you can do it:

• Open the Phantom Wallet on your device.
• Navigate to the 'Activity' tab to see a list of your recent transactions.
• Locate the transaction that failed and click on it to view more details.
• Note the transaction hash provided, which you can use to check the status on a blockchain explorer.

By understanding the current status of your transaction, you can better diagnose the issue and proceed with the appropriate solution.

Adjusting Gas Fees

If your transaction failed due to low gas fees, adjusting them can help resolve the issue. Here’s how to do it:

• Open Phantom Wallet and go to the 'Send' or 'Swap' section depending on your transaction type.
• Enter the recipient's address and the amount you wish to send.
• Look for the 'Gas Fee' section. Phantom usually suggests a standard fee, but you can adjust it.
• Increase the gas fee to a higher amount. A higher fee incentivizes miners to process your transaction faster.
• Confirm the transaction with the new gas fee and monitor its progress.

It's important to find a balance when adjusting gas fees. Setting them too high can be costly, while setting them too low may lead to further delays.

Dealing with Network Congestion

Network congestion can be a significant hurdle, but there are steps you can take to mitigate its impact:

• Wait it out: Sometimes, simply waiting for the network to clear up can resolve the issue. Check the blockchain explorer to see if the congestion is easing.
• Use a different network: If possible, consider using a less congested network for your transaction. Phantom supports multiple blockchains, so you might switch to a less busy one.
• Batch transactions: If you need to make multiple transactions, consider batching them into a single transaction. This reduces the load on the network and can increase the chances of successful processing.

Rescheduling or Cancelling Transactions

If your transaction is stuck and you cannot wait for it to be processed, you might need to reschedule or cancel it. Here’s how:

• Rescheduling: If you have increased the gas fee and the transaction is still pending, you might want to reschedule it. This involves creating a new transaction with the same details but with a higher gas fee. Make sure to cancel the original transaction first if possible.
• Cancelling: To cancel a transaction, you will need to send a new transaction with a higher gas fee that replaces the original one. This is known as a 'replace-by-fee' transaction. In Phantom, you can do this by:
  • Navigating to the 'Activity' tab.
  • Selecting the pending transaction.
  • Choosing the 'Cancel' option if available, or manually creating a new transaction with a higher fee to override the original one.

Using Advanced Features in Phantom

Phantom offers some advanced features that can help with transaction management:

• Priority Fee: Phantom allows you to set a priority fee, which is an additional fee that can help your transaction get processed faster during times of high network congestion.
• Transaction Simulation: Before executing a transaction, you can use Phantom’s simulation feature to see if it would succeed with the current settings. This can help you adjust gas fees or other parameters before actually sending the transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I recover a failed transaction in Phantom?

A: If a transaction fails due to insufficient gas fees, you can resubmit it with higher fees. However, if the transaction fails for other reasons such as incorrect recipient address or insufficient funds, the transaction cannot be recovered, and you will need to initiate a new transaction.

Q: How can I check if the Solana network is congested?

A: You can use blockchain explorers like Solana Explorer or Solscan to monitor the network's performance. Look for metrics like transaction volume, block times, and pending transactions to gauge congestion levels.

Q: What should I do if I accidentally set the gas fee too high?

A: If you set the gas fee too high, you can't reduce it once the transaction is submitted. However, if the transaction hasn't been processed yet, you might cancel it and resubmit with a lower fee. Always review your gas fee settings carefully before confirming a transaction.

Q: Is there a way to automate gas fee adjustments in Phantom?

A: Currently, Phantom does not offer an automatic gas fee adjustment feature. You will need to manually adjust the gas fees based on the network conditions and transaction urgency.