MetaMask Bug: Users Warn of SSD Damage as Fix Approaches

A surprising MetaMask bug has caught the attention of crypto users and developers alike. Reports have emerged showing that the popular browser wallet may be writing excessive data to solid-state drives (SSDs), potentially damaging them over time. 

Consensys, the company behind MetaMask, has acknowledged the issue and confirmed a fix is on the way. Let’s explore what’s going on, how it affects users, and what steps are being taken to solve the problem.

MetaMask Users Report SSD Damage  

In recent weeks, a small group of MetaMask users noticed unusually high disk activity after installing the wallet extension on Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Opera. 

One user, going by the handle ripper31337, reported that MetaMask was writing up to 500 GB of data per day to their SSD, without any interaction from the user.

To put that into perspective, that’s over 25 terabytes of data in just three months, an amount that can severely shorten the life of an SSD, which typically lasts between five and ten years under normal use.

Read Also: What is MetaMask Extension and How to Use It

MetaMask Bug Fix is Coming Soon

Consensys quickly responded to the MetaMask bug in a statement. The company confirmed that a fix would be released "imminently." 

While writing data to disk is normal for browser-based wallets like MetaMask, the rate and frequency reported by some users is far beyond what’s expected.

A Consensys spokesperson explained that the bug seems to affect users with unusually large state files, and the team is working on strategies to both reduce state size and limit the frequency of background data fetching when not actively used.

Read Also: MetaMask Wallet: What is it and How to Get Started?

Points from the MetaMask Bug Situation

Here’s the points from the MetaMask bug situation:

1. High Disk Usage Confirmed: Some users noticed MetaMask writing data at a rate of 5 MB per second, totaling hundreds of GB daily.

2. Issue Impacts SSD Lifespan: This level of disk writing can accelerate SSD wear, possibly shortening its life by years.

3. Bug Affects Chromium-Based Browsers: The reports mostly involve browsers like Chrome, Opera, and Edge.

4. Fix In Development: Consensys has acknowledged the problem and stated that a fix is being finalized and will roll out soon.

5. Multiple Reports, Months Apart: The issue was first reported on June 24 but seems to date back to early May, based on user reviews.

Read Also: How to Install MetaMask Chrome Extension Guide

Timeline of the MetaMask Bug 

Here’s the timeline of the MetaMask bug:

May 9: A user named “Quanquan” reports their Chrome browser on macOS writes 100 GB daily with MetaMask enabled.

June 24: GitHub user ripper31337 documents the bug in detail, including data rates and SSD impact.

July 17: Another user, PopCatMAGA, posts a complaint, claiming MetaMask has destroyed 50% of their SSD’s health.

July 19: A MetaMask team member replies on GitHub, reaffirming that a solution is actively being worked on.

Read Also: MetaMask Wallet Download for PC & Mobile

Conclusion

While only a small number of users are affected by the MetaMask bug, the potential for SSD damage is serious. Users who leave their browser running 24/7 may be at greater risk without even realizing it.

Consensys has confirmed they are actively working on reducing the size and frequency of data writes, with a patch expected soon. Until then, users may consider disabling the extension when not in use to prevent unnecessary wear on their drives.

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FAQ

What is the MetaMask bug?

The bug causes abnormally high disk activity, with the MetaMask browser extension writing massive amounts of data to SSDs in the background.

How much data is MetaMask writing?

Some users report up to 500 GB per day, which equals 25 TB over three months—enough to severely shorten an SSD’s lifespan.

Which browsers are affected?

The issue appears mainly on Chromium-based browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.

Has a fix been released?

Not yet, but Consensys has confirmed that a fix is on the way and will be released “imminently.”

What can I do in the meantime?

You can disable the MetaMask extension when it’s not in use to prevent unnecessary disk activity until the official fix is rolled out.