Bitcoin Transaction - Stuck Indefinitely?

[buzzarboy]

Hi all,

I need some advice! Firstly, I'm not after a lecture on Fees. I know what I've done wrong and it won't happen again; I'm just looking to rectify my current situation.

I sent 2 Bitcoin transactions on 16-Oct-2017, which had very low (and apparently zero) fees. Neither transaction has gone through as of yet. See links below:

https://blockchain.info/tx/0e2dfa703d5265953aa775d585f3b823a108b5f00611510ac1fad1e62ece6f1e
https://blockchain.info/tx/6037edf3c41b0aea0cb402d01a82675aed2bfcc00383c1f1682fb91c741e25ee

Here's what I've tried already:

1) As suggested in numerous other posts, I've tried waiting but nothing has happened. I read waiting times are between 3 days to 1 week but it's gone past this point. During this time, I've made sure to not open my wallet as well (in case that automatically rebroadcasted the transaction). If the transactions have been rejected, I assume the bitcoins will be returned to my wallet?

2) I contacted Blockchain.info directly (the website which holds my wallet) but their only advice was to wait... (chocolate teapot)

3) I tried using the accelerator service (which now appears to be down?) but because of my low fees, it won't work.

4) I contacted a (recommended) miner directly who advised he cannot do anything and I just need to wait.

5) I tried both the CPFP and RBF methods but I'm obviously not advanced enough to understand the process as it doesn't appeared to have worked. I either didn't do it right or it just hasn't worked...

6) During the 1st few days, I tried rebroadcasting my transaction but nothing happened.

7) According to other posts, Blockchain.info does not give out private keys, so I am unable to resend the transaction with higher fees.

I am the owner of both the sending and receiving wallets.

I've literally run out of options and I'm pulling my hair out with what to do next. Has anyone got an advice for me or have I lost the bitcoins forever? To be honest, these were only small amounts I was using to test, so it's not the end of the world if they are lost. Obviously, if it's possible, I would like them back though.

Thanks in advance,
Joel (buzzarboy)

[buwaytress]

Hello Joel,

All right, you've had all the lectures on fees so I won't do that (breathe deeply ). I've accelerated your first transaction, so we'll need to wait for a few hours for that to confirm before we can work on your second TX. You're right, they're very small amounts and have zero fees (well, 2nd one is 1 sat/byte, effectively miners will see it as zero).

My advice:
1. Don't ever spend inputs that haven't been confirmed, or are reliant on spends that are unlikely to confirm.
2. If the purpose of these txs were to consolidate your inputs, try to hold off until you have many and until the network is relatively free. I also consolidate dust inputs, sacrificing perhaps a 10-20 satoshi/byte fee when mempool is almost free. That way, you get away with paying low fees to lean up your inputs.

I'll check back and accelerate the 2nd tx in a few hours.

And no, your bitcoins aren't lost forever. Had you persisted in broadcasting them, I'm very sure they'd eventually confirm (obviously when there are so few txs in the network that miners just pick whatever's left).

[buzzarboy]

Hi buwaytress,

Firstly, thanks for holding off on the lecture. I've probably read around 100 forums all with the same response aha! I've learnt my lessons.

Secondly, thanks for you help and advise. Fingers crossed something happens now

Although, please let me know if you need any more information to further assist.

J

[Potato Chips]

Yes blockchain.info doesn't have the export feature but there are other ways to export/access your private keys. Here is a good tutorial for you http://bl4nkcode.info/bitcoin/how_to_export_blockchain_wallet_private_key

Alternatively, You can also access your private keys on electrum wallet through your Backup phrase/seed. Just don't forget to click the option button and tick the BIP39 seed box.
_______________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

It seems like you're having a problem on your 2nd transaction because of too low fee. A more easy way is to try pasting your TXID on antpool's TX accelerator https://www.antpool.com/user/prioritiseTransaction.htm?m=savePrioritiseTx. I accelerated a no-miner fee transaction back then. It should also work on yours

EDIT: I quequed it for you. It should be confirmed within a few hours

[buwaytress]

Ah there you go, first transaction is confirmed and Potato Chips has kindly queued the second for confirmation. Your immediate problem should be solved, I think we can trust you won't repeat this.

Also, I'd recommend to switch over to Electrum.org , follow the advice given to import private keys. Speaking from own experience, Electrum's ease of use is perfect for non-technical users (like myself) especially if you plan on consolidating small inputs like it seems you tried to do. It's got a great new version out too (3.0) which I just downloaded today. Includest native (opt-in) support too!

[buzzarboy]

Muchas gracias to you both!

Both transactions have now been confirmed. I won't be making that mistake again!

J

[BTC_Moon_18]

I have the same issue. I had fired up my MultiBit client for the first time in years and didn't realize the fee was hardcoded at .0001.

Could someone help me? My transaction is: df3ac33d05ff739c238fb6ebfd6c093dc7a3f032412b9efcb83313eeb4a1cf63