Stuck Bitcoin Transaction? A Step-by-Step Guide to Resolving Issues in 2025

Stuck Bitcoin Transaction? A Step-by-Step Guide to Resolving Issues in 2025

It's 2025, and Bitcoin is more popular than ever, with an average of 369,961 transactions occurring daily. However, with increased adoption comes the potential for network congestion, leading to frustratingly stuck transactions. In fact, the average Bitcoin transaction confirmation time is currently around 60 minutes, a significant increase from the 10-60 minute average. If you've found yourself staring at a pending Bitcoin transaction, don't panic. This guide will walk you through the steps to understand why your transaction is stuck and how to resolve it.

Why Bitcoin Transactions Get Stuck

Several factors can cause a Bitcoin transaction to get stuck, with the most common being:

• Low Transaction Fees: Bitcoin transactions require a fee to incentivize miners to include them in a block. If the fee is too low, miners will prioritize transactions with higher fees, leaving yours pending. The average transaction fee is currently around $2.17, but this can fluctuate significantly based on network activity.
• Network Congestion: When the Bitcoin network is experiencing high traffic, the mempool (where unconfirmed transactions wait) can become congested. This leads to delays, especially for transactions with lower fees. The mempool size can reach over 90 megabytes during periods of high activity.
• Sudden Spikes in Network Traffic: Market volatility or major news events can cause sudden surges in transaction volume, leading to congestion and delays.
• Technical Issues: Problems with your wallet, exchange, or network nodes can also contribute to stuck transactions.
• Incorrect Wallet Address: A simple typo in the recipient's address can cause a transaction to remain unconfirmed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resolving Stuck Bitcoin Transactions

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get your Bitcoin transaction unstuck:

Step 1: Check the Transaction Status

• Use a Blockchain Explorer: Use a reputable block explorer like Mempool.space or BTCScan to check the status of your transaction. You'll need your transaction ID (a long string of letters and numbers).
• Review Transaction Details: The block explorer will show you the transaction's details, including the number of confirmations, the fee paid, and the timestamp. If the transaction is still pending, it will be marked as "unconfirmed."
• Compare Fees: Compare the fee you paid with the current average fee rate. If your fee is significantly lower, it's likely the reason for the delay.

Step 2: Understand the Tools at Your Disposal

If your transaction is stuck due to a low fee, you have a few options:

• Replace-by-Fee (RBF): If your wallet supports RBF, you can rebroadcast your transaction with a higher fee. This essentially replaces the original transaction with a new one that is more attractive to miners.
• Child-Pays-for-Parent (CPFP): If your wallet doesn't support RBF, CPFP is another option. This involves creating a new transaction that spends the unconfirmed output of the stuck transaction and includes a higher fee. This incentivizes miners to confirm both transactions.
• Transaction Accelerators: Mining pools and third-party services offer transaction accelerators. These services prioritize your transaction for a fee, often by including it in the next block. Some popular accelerators include ViaBTC and Mempool.

Step 3: Implement a Solution

• Using RBF:
  1. Locate the stuck transaction in your wallet.
  2. Select the "Increase Fee" or "Boost Priority" option (if available).
  3. Choose a higher fee option or set a custom fee based on current network conditions.
  4. Confirm the new transaction.
• Using CPFP:
  1. Create a new transaction that spends the unconfirmed output of the stuck transaction.
  2. Set a higher fee for this new transaction.
  3. Broadcast the new transaction.
• Using a Transaction Accelerator:
  1. Choose a reputable transaction accelerator service.
  2. Enter your transaction ID.
  3. Pay the required fee.
  4. Wait for the accelerator to prioritize your transaction.

Step 4: Monitor the Transaction

• Track Progress: Continue to monitor your transaction on the block explorer.
• Be Patient: Even with a higher fee or an accelerator, it may still take some time for your transaction to be confirmed, especially during periods of high network congestion.

Preventing Stuck Transactions in the Future

To avoid stuck transactions in the future, consider these tips:

• Set Appropriate Fees: Always check the current network fee rates before sending a transaction. Most wallets provide fee suggestions (low, medium, high). Opt for a medium or high fee for faster confirmation, especially during times of high network activity.
• Use SegWit-Enabled Wallets: Segregated Witness (SegWit) reduces the size of transaction data, allowing more transactions per block and lowering fees.
• Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date on network conditions and potential congestion periods.
• Double-Check Addresses: Always double-check the recipient's wallet address before sending a transaction.
• Use RBF or CPFP: If your wallet supports these features, use them to adjust fees if needed.

Bitcoin Transaction Fees in 2025

Bitcoin transaction fees have fluctuated throughout 2025. While the average fee is currently around $2.17, it's important to note that this can change rapidly based on network activity. In early January 2025, the average fee was as low as $1.40, but it has also spiked to nearly $6 in the past 30 days.

The Future of Bitcoin Transactions

Bitcoin's scalability challenges are well-known, and various solutions are being developed to address them. Layer-2 solutions like the Lightning Network, Ark, and Fedimints are gaining traction, offering faster and cheaper transactions. Additionally, projects like PlutoChain are exploring ways to improve Bitcoin's scalability by using innovative Layer-2 networks.

Conclusion

Stuck Bitcoin transactions can be frustrating, but by understanding the causes and utilizing the available tools, you can resolve these issues effectively. As Bitcoin continues to evolve, new solutions will emerge to improve transaction speeds and reduce congestion. By staying informed and proactive, you can navigate the Bitcoin network with confidence.