Staking on Solana uses periods of times called epochs to delineate when changes to stake status can take effect. Epochs typically last 2–3 days. Your stake only activates or deactivates at the beginning or end of an epoch—not immediately when you submit a transaction.
You can check the current epoch progress at:
Stake account lifecycle
As your stake moves through the system, it transitions between four possible states:
- Activating: You’ve staked your SOL, but it hasn’t started earning rewards yet. It will become active at the start of the next epoch.
- Active: Your SOL is earning staking rewards.
- Deactivating: You’ve unstaked your SOL. It will remain locked until the current epoch ends.
- Inactive: Your SOL is no longer staked and can now be withdrawn to your wallet.
What does "Activating" mean?
If your stake says Activating, it has been delegated to a validator but hasn’t started earning rewards yet. It will become Active at the start of the next epoch.
What does "Deactivating" mean?
If your stake says Deactivating, it’s in the process of being unstaked. During this time:
- Your SOL is no longer earning rewards.
- Your stake will remain locked until the current epoch ends.
Once the status changes to Inactive, you’ll be able to withdraw your SOL.
To withdraw:
- Go to the Your Stake screen.
- Select the inactive account
- Select Withdraw Stake.
Make sure you have enough SOL in your wallet (around 0.05 SOL) to pay for the withdrawal transaction.