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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →To add an EVM-compatible blockchain to MetaMask, open Networks → Add a custom network, enter the network’s verified RPC URL, chain ID, native-currency symbol and other details, then save. MetaMask also lets you add an RPC endpoint to an existing network; that changes how MetaMask connects to the chain, not which chain it is. Use values published by the blockchain team or a reputable RPC provider, and never enter your Secret Recovery Phrase to configure a network.
What an RPC URL does
RPC means remote procedure call. An RPC endpoint is a service MetaMask contacts to request blockchain data and submit transactions. The endpoint is not your wallet and does not receive your private key just because you use it. Your account and private key remain the same when you change RPC providers.
An RPC provider may still see connection metadata, such as your IP address, wallet address, request patterns and transaction activity, depending on its logging and privacy policies. Changing providers can change who receives those requests; it does not make wallet activity private or anonymous. MetaMask explains the role of RPC in its network setup guide.
Get and verify the network details first
Find network values in the blockchain’s official documentation or website, or in documentation from a reputable RPC provider that supports that chain. Chainlist at chainid.network can be a convenience, but MetaMask says it does not maintain Chainlist’s network information. Verify the details against a first-party source before approving an add-network request.
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| MetaMask field | What to enter | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Network name | A human-readable name for the chain. | Names are labels, not proof of identity. Match it to the intended network. |
| New RPC URL | An endpoint URL from the chain team or provider. | Check the domain, required path and provider. Use HTTPS where the provider offers it; some networks or endpoints may support other transports. |
| Chain ID | The chain’s numeric identifier. MetaMask’s interface accepts the value for the network; a developer wallet API request typically uses a hexadecimal string. | Compare it with an official source. It must match the chain the endpoint serves. |
| Currency symbol | The ticker for the network’s native gas asset, such as ETH or BNB. | This is a display label, not a way to import a token. |
| Block explorer URL | The chain’s explorer homepage or chain-specific explorer. | Use the official or otherwise trusted explorer. This field may be optional in the interface. |
- Confirm the chain name and official website, then compare the chain ID with a first-party source.
- Check that the RPC domain belongs to the claimed provider and that the URL has the correct path and any required API key.
- Do not copy endpoints from random social posts, comments or unknown blogs.
- Never enter your Secret Recovery Phrase or private key into an RPC provider form or network setup page.
A chain ID is not a token contract address. Adding a network does not automatically show every ERC-20 token on it; a token may need to be imported separately.
Add a custom network in MetaMask Extension
- Open and unlock MetaMask Extension.
- Open the network menu or MetaMask menu, select Networks, then choose Add a custom network.
- Enter the network name, new RPC URL, chain ID and currency symbol. Add the block explorer URL if you have verified it.
- Select Save, then confirm the network appears in the network selector.
- Switch to the new network and verify its chain ID and explorer before using a dApp or sending funds.
MetaMask’s current help instructions use the path Networks → Add a custom network; labels may vary between releases. For networks MetaMask already lists, you may be able to select Add or a + control instead of entering the details manually. See MetaMask’s instructions.
Add a custom network in MetaMask Mobile
- Open and unlock MetaMask Mobile.
- On the Tokens tab, tap the network dropdown at the top.
- Open the Custom tab and tap Add a custom network.
- Enter the verified network details and tap Save.
- Select the network from the network list.
Extension and Mobile network settings do not automatically synchronize, so add the network separately on each device where you need it. MetaMask also says custom networks may need to be added again after reinstalling the app or extension.
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Add an RPC URL to an existing network
Use this option when the chain is already configured and you want another endpoint for that same chain. The chain ID stays the same; you are changing the provider MetaMask uses, not adding a blockchain.
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In Extension
- Open the MetaMask menu and select Networks.
- Find the network, open its three-dot menu, then open the RPC URL dropdown.
- Select Add RPC URL, enter the endpoint and a nickname, then save.
- Select the preferred endpoint from the network’s RPC URL options when needed.
In Mobile
- Open the network dropdown.
- Tap the three-dot menu beside the network and select Edit.
- Open the RPC URL field, choose Add RPC URL, and enter the endpoint and a nickname.
- Save the change and select the endpoint you want to use.
MetaMask says adding a custom RPC URL to Ethereum, Linea, Base, Arbitrum or BNB Smart Chain can disable Smart Transaction features such as MEV protection. Switching back to the default RPC URL restores those capabilities. You can remove an endpoint through the same network settings flow. Details are in MetaMask’s network guide.
Verify that MetaMask is connected to the intended chain
- Check the selected network. A familiar-looking name alone is not enough; compare the network details with the official source.
- Check the chain ID. Developers can compare the active chain ID with the value published by the blockchain team.
- Check the explorer. Copy your wallet address and open it on the configured explorer. Confirm it is the expected chain and account.
- Interpret the balance carefully. A zero native balance can be normal if the account has not received funds on that chain. The same EVM wallet address can appear on multiple chains, so seeing your address does not prove the selected network is correct.
- For a testnet, use only its official faucet. A legitimate faucet does not need your Secret Recovery Phrase.
- Before a real transfer, confirm the recipient and network, then consider a low-value test transaction. Check its status on the configured explorer before taking further action.
Troubleshoot common network and RPC problems
“Could not fetch chain ID”
This usually means MetaMask could not validate the endpoint or the endpoint reported a different chain ID. Common causes include a typo, a provider outage or rate limit, a missing or malformed API key, a non-EVM endpoint, a provider-specific URL path, or a chain ID mismatch.
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- Copy the endpoint again from the provider’s official dashboard and remove trailing spaces or quotation marks.
- Check whether the provider requires a path such as
/v2/<key>,/<chain>/<key>, or another provider-specific format. - Try another official endpoint for the same chain if one is available.
- Do not guess a chain ID to get past the error. MetaMask’s developer reference documents network-add and network-switch validation in its RPC API documentation.
The network saves but no balance appears
Check whether the selected account has native funds on this chain, whether you are viewing the right account, and whether the RPC endpoint serves the intended network. The asset may be an ERC-20 that needs to be imported, the chain may use a nonstandard token system, or the provider may be returning stale or incomplete data.
A transaction fails or stays pending
Possible causes include insufficient native currency for gas, provider congestion or outage, incorrect gas estimation, chain-specific transaction rules, or a mismatch between the network selected in MetaMask and the network expected by the dApp.
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- Confirm the active network in MetaMask and the dApp.
- Check the transaction on the official explorer and switch to another configured RPC endpoint if the current one appears unreliable.
- Do not repeatedly resubmit while the original transaction may still be pending. If recovery requires resetting or replacing a transaction, follow MetaMask’s documented guidance for that transaction state rather than resetting blindly.
MetaMask says the chain is already configured
The chain may already be listed under another name, included as a default network, or present from an earlier custom setup. Check the existing network and its chain ID. Edit it or add another RPC URL rather than creating a duplicate.
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The chain or balance looks suspicious
Stop before signing or sending anything if the explorer does not recognize the address as expected, the currency symbol or explorer looks wrong, a dApp requests an unexpected approval, a transaction preview names another chain or contract, or the RPC URL came from an untrusted source. Switch to a known trusted network and verify the configuration using official sources.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use Chainlist as a convenience option
- Check that you are on chainid.network, not a lookalike domain.
- Connect MetaMask and search for the intended network.
- Select Add Chain, then review the network-add request in MetaMask before approving it.
Chainlist can save manual entry, but it is not a security guarantee: MetaMask says it does not maintain Chainlist’s network details. Verify the chain ID, RPC URL and explorer against a first-party source before approval.
Developer method: request a network through MetaMask
A dApp can request that an EVM network be added with wallet_addEthereumChain. Replace every example value with details verified from the chain’s official documentation; the placeholder domain below is not a usable RPC endpoint.
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await window.ethereum.request({
method: "wallet_addEthereumChain",
params: [
{
chainId: "0x...",
chainName: "Example Network",
nativeCurrency: {
name: "Example Token",
symbol: "EXM",
decimals: 18
},
rpcUrls: ["https://example-rpc-provider.invalid"],
blockExplorerUrls: ["https://example-explorer.invalid"]
}
]
});The wallet API typically expects chainId as a hexadecimal string. If a chain-switch request returns error code 4902, MetaMask’s documentation says the chain has not yet been added; request it with wallet_addEthereumChain. A dApp should also detect the active network and respond to chainChanged. See MetaMask’s RPC API reference and network detection guide.
Choose an RPC endpoint for your needs
For occasional personal use, an official public endpoint or MetaMask’s default network configuration may be enough. If it is unreliable or rate-limited, a reputable authenticated provider may offer usage monitoring, support and account controls. Developers should compare providers on the chain and methods they need, not just the headline request limit.
- Official status: Is the endpoint published by the blockchain team or a reputable infrastructure provider?
- Reliability and failover: Does the provider publish service status, and can you configure another endpoint for the same chain?
- Rate limits and traffic: Is the endpoint suited to personal wallet requests or dApp traffic?
- Methods and data: Does your use require only standard JSON-RPC, or also tracing, archive data, debug methods, WebSockets or enhanced APIs?
- Authentication and key exposure: An API key embedded in a client-side application may be visible to users. Restrict it where the provider permits, monitor usage and rotate it if exposed.
- Privacy: Review what request information the provider logs and how it handles it.
- Cost: Compare the provider’s actual billing unit, limits and terms. Usage credits are not directly comparable across services.
Public RPC endpoints can be quick to use and may not require registration, but can be shared, rate-limited or changed by the operator. Authenticated endpoints may provide dashboards, monitoring and more predictable support, but can require an account or billing details. Do not assume a paid endpoint is necessary for a wallet-only user, or that changing providers alone improves privacy.
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