Technology

Fix incoming for MetaMask bug that’s slowly killing solid-state drives

Posted on by Minakshi

MetaMask Bug Alert: Excessive Disk Usage Reported, Fix Imminent

Leading blockchain firm Consensys has acknowledged reports of a bug affecting its popular MetaMask browser extension. Users have reported unusually high disk activity, potentially impacting the lifespan of their computer’s storage drives.

What’s Happening?

Some MetaMask users have observed the extension writing significant amounts of data – potentially hundreds of gigabytes per day – to their solid-state drives (SSDs). This excessive writing activity can lead to premature wear and tear on the drives, shortening their operational lifespan. This issue appears to affect installations on Chromium-based browsers such as Chrome, Edge, and Opera.

Consensys Responds

A Consensys spokesperson confirmed that they are aware of the problem and are preparing a fix. The company stated that the fix will be released “imminently.” Users are advised to remain vigilant and monitor their disk usage until the update is available.

How to Check Your Disk Usage

  • Windows: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the “Performance” tab, and select your disk. Observe the “Write” activity.
  • macOS: Open Activity Monitor (Applications/Utilities), go to the “Disk” tab. Check the “Data written” column.
  • Linux: Use tools like `iotop` or `iostat` from the command line to monitor disk I/O.

Stay Tuned for Updates

We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as soon as the fix is released. Ensure you update your MetaMask extension promptly once the update becomes available to mitigate potential risks to your storage drives.

Summary:

  • MetaMask users are reporting high disk usage, potentially damaging SSDs.
  • Consensys acknowledges the issue and will release a fix soon.
  • Users should monitor their disk activity and update MetaMask promptly when the fix is available.
Key Takeaways:

  • Excessive disk writing by MetaMask can reduce the lifespan of SSDs.
  • The issue affects users on Chromium-based browsers.
  • Consensys is working on a fix to resolve the high disk usage.
  • Monitor your disk usage to identify potential problems early.