Metamask: web3.utils.toWei(«1», «ether») appears as 4722.36648287 ether in metamask notification

Understanding the Issue with Web3.utils.toWei() in MetaMask

As a newcomer to the world of Ethereum, you’re likely excited to explore its vast ecosystem. However, when it comes to using Web3 libraries like metamask, you might encounter issues that seem puzzling at first glance. One such issue is related to the toWei() method from web3.utils, which appears to have a problem with converting an integer value to a Wei amount in Ethereum.

The Issue: toWei("1", "ether")

Let’s examine the code snippet:

const transactionParameters = {

  from: metamaskaddr,

  gasPrice: '0x09184e72a000', // ...

};

In this example, we’re setting gasPrice to '0x09184e72a000', which is a hexadecimal string representing the gas price in Wei (1 Ether). The toWei() method is called with two arguments:

• The first argument is the value of interest: "1".

• The second argument is the unit of that value: "ether".

However, when we call transactionParameters.from = metamaskaddr;, metamaskaddr is not necessarily a valid Ethereum address. In fact, it’s likely an incorrect or malformed address. This could be due to various reasons, such as:

• Using a non-standard or invalid Ethereum address.

• Intentionally creating a malicious or misconfigured address.

What Happens When You Call toWei()

When you calltransactionParameters.from = metamaskaddr;, the JavaScript engine is trying to resolve themetamaskaddrstring as a valid Ethereum address. However, since it's likely not a correct or standard address, the resulting error message might look something like this:

This indicates that the JavaScript engine is unable to resolve themetamaskaddrstring into an actual Ethereum address.



Solving the Issue


To fix this issue, you need to ensure that yourmetamaskaddrvariable is a valid Ethereum address. Here are some possible solutions:


Verify that yourmetamaskaddrvariable is correct and follows the standard format for Ethereum addresses (e.g.,0x...).

Use a reliable tool or service to validate your Ethereum address.

If you're using a local Ethereum blockchain, ensure that you've set up the correct network settings and accounts.



Example Solution


To demonstrate how to fix this issue, let's use a simple example: