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Solana: Sending transactions rarely confirm

As a Solana user, one of the most frustrating experiences is waiting for transactions to confirm. While it may seem like a minor issue, our recent experience with sending transactions on the Solana network has revealed just how rare these confirmations are.

My transactions rarely confirm, sometimes only once a day, even though I am using a paid starter plan with QuickNode, one of the most popular and reputable Solana node providers. This is not an isolated incident either. Many users have reported similar experiences, where their transactions do not confirm despite following standard best practices.

Despite having raised this issue with QuickNode, I have not received a response. It is disappointing to realize that my problem may not be unique, and highlights the need for the Solana team to pay more attention to transaction confirmation times.

The Problem:

To understand why transactions are rarely confirmed, let's take a look at how the Solana network works. The Solana network is designed to process transactions in batches of 32, which is known as "batching." This means that multiple transactions can be processed together, reducing the overall transaction processing time.

However, batching does not guarantee faster transaction confirmation times. In fact, it is possible for transactions to be processed in batches but not confirmed due to a number of reasons, such as:

• High network congestion: If too many transactions are processed at the same time, they may get lost in the queue.

• Node overload: Some nodes on the Solana network may be experiencing high loads, leading to delays in transaction processing and confirmation.

• Network issues: Issues with the network itself can lead to delayed or failed transactions.

The Solution:

To mitigate these issues, QuickNode offers a paid starter plan that includes faster transaction confirmation times. However, even with this update, we are still experiencing slow confirmations. It is clear that there are limitations to how quickly transactions can be confirmed on the Solana network.

A Call to Action:

Given the frustration and potential financial losses that delayed transactions create, it is essential that the Solana team address these issues head-on. This may involve:

• Improving the ability of nodes to handle large transaction volumes

• Implementing more efficient batching algorithms to reduce delays

• Increasing the frequency of batching to minimize congestion

• Improving network security measures to prevent hacking and other malicious activity

Until these changes are implemented, users will continue to experience slow transaction confirmations. As a result, we may need to explore alternative solutions to ensure our transactions are processed efficiently and quickly.

By advocating for improved transaction confirmation times on the Solana network, we hope to put an end to this frustrating issue and create a smoother user experience for all Solana users.