Metamask Issue: TransactionRevertedWithoutReasonError on MetaMask and Sepolia Testnet
As a cryptocurrency developer, I’m sure you’re aware of the importance of testing smart contracts in a controlled environment. Two popular testnets for this purpose are MetaMask and Sepolia. However, when we interact with a particular method on Web3.js 4.2.0, we run into an issue that causes significant problems.
The Issue: Transaction Reverted Without Reason on MetaMask and Sepolia Testnet
The issue is specifically related to the “broadcastMessage(string)” method, which is used to store a string message in the smart contract. The issue occurs when you try to interact with Web3.js 4.2.0 using this method.
The error is: TransactionRevertedWithoutReasonError
When encountering this error, users are requesting to rollback transactions without providing a clear reason for the rejection. This can be frustrating and can lead to the loss of valuable funds or data. To better understand the issue, let’s delve into the details of how broadcastMessage(string) works with Web3.js.
How it works
In this context, the broadcastMessage(string) method is used to send a string message to a smart contract. The method takes two parameters: the message to send and the sender’s Ethereum address. Here’s a simplified example:
const web3 = new Web3(window.ethereum);
// Connect to MetaMask
web3.eth accounts.connect();
// Get the recipient’s address
const recipientAddress = '0x...';
// Send a string message using broadcastMessage()
web3.eth.accounts.broadcastMessage('Hello, World!', recipientAddress).then((result) => {
console.log(result);
}, (error) => {
if (error.message === 'Transaction rolled back with reason: rolled back without a valid reason.') {
// Handle the error
alert('Error: Transaction rolled back without a reason');
} else {
throw error;
}
});
The problem is with Play
When using broadcastMessage(string), Web3.js expects a valid contract function or Ethereum account to interact with. However, in this case, we pass an arbitrary string message as the first parameter. The second parameter is expected to be the address of an Ethereum account that is authorized to perform the specified function.
The issue arises because the MetaMask and Sepolia testnets are not configured to accept arbitrary messages from external accounts. When “broadcastMessage(string)” encounters a rejected transaction, it generates a “TransactionRevertedWithoutReasonError” message with a generic reason message indicating that the transaction was rolled back without a valid reason.
Conclusion
This article highlights an issue that affects users who are trying to interact with the “broadcastMessage(string)” method on the MetaMask and Sepolia testnets using Web3.js version 4.2.0. By understanding how this method interacts with these testnets, we can better troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise in our development workflow.
Recommendations
To resolve this issue:
- Use a valid contract function or Ethereum account: Ensure that the “broadcastMessage(string)” method is called with a specific contract function or an authorized Ethereum account.
- Implement error handling mechanisms: Develop robust error handling strategies to provide meaningful feedback to users in the event of transaction errors.
- Test thoroughly: Regularly test smart contracts and Web3.js interactions using various testing frameworks to catch issues before they impact production.
These steps can minimize the impact of this issue on your development work and provide a smoother experience for users interacting with the MetaMask and Sepolia test networks using Web3.js.
