System and method embodiments are provided for pausing data transmission in a full-duplex wireless network. Embodiments eliminate the deadlocks in the full duplex MAC layer and improve the system efficiency. In an embodiment, a method in a wirelessly enabled and full duplex enabled network component for pausing an ongoing data transmission includes beginning a transmission, with the network component, of first data to a first station; determining, with the network component, that transmission of a second data to a second station is required before completion of the transmission of the first data to the first station; transmitting, with the network component, a pause indicator to the first station notifying the first station that transmission of the first data will be paused; transmitting, with the network component, the second data to the second station; and resuming transmitting, with the network component, the first data to the first station.