How to Re-Send a Transaction with Higher Gas Price Using Ethers.js

This guide explains how to resend Ethereum transactions with increased gas prices using Ethers.js to accelerate confirmation times. It covers transaction basics, parameter configuration, and step-by-step implementation with Ethers.js.

Key Concepts

Ethereum Transactions

Transactions are actions that modify the Ethereum blockchain state, requiring gas fees paid in wei or gwei. Three primary types exist:

1. Value transfers: ETH sent between accounts
2. Contract creations: Smart contract deployments
3. Contract calls: Interactions with deployed contracts

Transaction Parameters

Implementation Steps

1. Environment Setup

Prerequisites:

• NodeJS (v14+)
• Ethers.js v5.7

Install Ethers.js:

npm install --save [email protected]

2. Wallet Creation

Create a JavaScript file (index.js) with:

const ethers = require('ethers');
const privateKey = "0xYOUR_PRIVATE_KEY";
const wallet = new ethers.Wallet(privateKey);
console.log("Address: " + wallet.address);

👉 Get test ETH from a faucet

3. Transaction Resending

Modify index.js to:

const provider = new ethers.providers.JsonRpcProvider('YOUR_QUICKNODE_URL');

const tx = {
  to: "0xRecipientAddress",
  value: ethers.utils.parseEther("0.05"),
  chainId: 42, // Kovan
  nonce: 3 // Must match original tx
};

async function resendTx() {
  const gasEstimate = await provider.estimateGas(tx);
  tx.gasLimit = gasEstimate;
  tx.gasPrice = ethers.utils.parseUnits("2.14", "gwei"); // Increased price
  
  const signedTx = await wallet.signTransaction(tx);
  const txResponse = await provider.sendTransaction(signedTx);
  console.log(txResponse.hash);
}

resendTx();

Critical Notes

• Always preserve the original nonce when resending
• Monitor gas prices using ETH Gas Station
• Test all transactions on testnets before mainnet use

👉 Explore Ethers.js documentation

FAQs

Q: Why must I keep the same nonce?
A: The nonce prevents transaction duplication. Using the same nonce replaces the pending transaction rather than creating a new one.

Q: How much should I increase gas prices?
A: Typically 10-25% above current network averages. Use tools like Etherscan's gas tracker for real-time data.

Q: Can I cancel a pending transaction?
A: Yes, by sending a zero-ETH transaction to yourself with the same nonce and higher gas price.

Q: What happens if my resend fails?
A: Verify your original transaction hasn't been mined. If it fails due to insufficient funds, you'll need to top up your wallet.

Q: Is this method safe for mainnet?
A: Absolutely, but always test with small amounts first to verify your implementation.

Conclusion

Optimizing gas prices ensures timely transaction processing. By mastering nonce management and gas adjustments, developers can significantly improve blockchain interaction efficiency. For advanced implementations, consider:

• Transaction speed monitoring
• Dynamic gas pricing algorithms
• Batch transaction processing

Stay updated with Ethereum improvements through official channels like Ethereum Blog. For hands-on practice, use testnets before executing mainnet transactions.