TL;DR (Short Answer)
Rewards start after your stake is Active for a full epoch.
Solana epochs ≈ 2 days.
If you deposit mid-epoch, you won’t earn for that epoch. Your first rewards appear right after the next full Active epoch ends (auto-compounded).
How it works
Deposit → stake shows Initialized/Activating (not earning).
Start of the next epoch → stake becomes Active.
Stay Active for the full epoch → you earn for that epoch.
After the epoch ends → rewards are credited automatically and auto-compounded.
Status Glossary
Initialized: Account created; queued to turn Active at the start of the next epoch.
Active: Eligible to earn; rewards post after the epoch ends.
Inactive (re-delegation): Temporary during Marinade reallocation; no action needed.
If you unstake this portion, it’s available immediately.
Example Timeline
Epoch X: Deposit mid-epoch → Activating → no rewards for X.
Epoch X+1: Active for the entire epoch → you earn for X+1.
Start of Epoch X+2: Rewards for X+1 appear (auto-compounded).
FAQ
Do I need to claim?
No. Auto-compound is built in.
How long is an epoch?
About 2 days. Timing can vary slightly.
Why do I see “Inactive”?
This can happen during short re-delegation by Marinade and is normal and temporary. See the guide: Understanding inactive validators in Marinade staking.