Difference between revisions of "Troubleshooting network issues"

From Bisq Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with " If you're stuck on Bisq's initial loading screen for a while and then you are shown a screen about Tor it is probably because you ISP or network provider is actively blocki...")
 
(improve page organization)
(5 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
You may be experiencing '''network issues''' if you're stuck on Bisq's initial loading screen for a while. Often this results in a screen mentioning outdated Tor files and other Tor settings. This could occur for a number of reasons.
  
 +
__TOC__
  
 +
== Weak internet connection ==
  
If you're stuck on Bisq's initial loading screen for a while and then you are shown a screen about Tor it is probably because you ISP or network provider is actively blocking Tor.
+
Bisq generally needs a strong, fast connection to work properly. Tethering on mobile connections can work but is known to cause issues.
  
Tor is actively working against these ISPs that block it by providing bridges. These bridges help you hop into the tor network through a not so known node. You can either know someone who runs a bridge and ask them for the details or you can go to https://bridges.torproject.org/bridges to get your own.
+
== Windows antivirus software ==
  
They look like this, and should be inserted in Bisq's Tor screen:
+
Antivirus software is known to cause connection issues. Try turning it off to see if it helps Bisq to connect, and if it does, consider switching antivirus software or running Bisq on another operating system on which you don't need to run antivirus.
  
Note that the picture is only illustrative, the Bridges shown will vary on your IP range and a series of other factors (see more about how the Tor Project team optimises the list of bridges for maximum uncensorability here).
+
== Being temporarily banned by the Tor network ==
==Other Known connection issues==
 
===Forks of Bitcoin(the codebase) in the same computer===
 
  
Some forks of the Bitcoin repository (i.e. Litecoin, Dogecoin and many more) are known to affect Bisq's connectivity setup. These forks are still recognized by Bisq as a local Bitcoin node and thus Bisq attempts to connect to them but stays endlessly trying to find Bisq related transactions in Litecoin blocks, for example. That will never work :)
+
Trying to open Bisq too many times in a short timeframe can result in failing to connect to the Tor network. Simple wait 30-60 minutes and then try opening Bisq again.
  
When you have these altcoins running in the same computer as you're running Bisq, please completely switch them (the altcoin nodes) off, turn Bisq on and let it load completely; only then you can turn the altcoins back on.
+
== Tor censorship ==
==Tor Bridges that don't work==
 
  
Some network administrators try really hard to block any Tor activity in their network (Universities in particular) and go as far as blocking specific types of SSL traffic & handshakes.
+
In certain situations, Bisq may fail to start because your ISP or network provider is actively blocking Tor.
  
When that happens you can use a VPN to connect your computer to their network and then have Bisq use Tor from within the VPN tunnel to connect to the Bitcoin network.
+
Tor is tries to fight such obstacles by providing ''bridges''. Bridges help you connect to the Tor network through a less well-known node. If you know someone who runs a bridge, you can ask to use their bridge, or you can go to https://bridges.torproject.org/bridges to pick a bridge listed by the Tor Project.
 +
 
 +
If you're in China, [[在中国运行Bisq_(Running_Bisq_in_China)|this method using SStap]] has worked to get around the Great Firewall.
 +
 
 +
==Tor bridges that don't work ==
 +
 
 +
Some network administrators try really hard to block all Tor activity on their network (universities are infamous for this) and will even sometimes block specific types of SSL traffic and handshakes.
 +
 
 +
In these scenarios, consider using a VPN and then running Bisq from within the VPN tunnel.
 +
 
 +
== Altcoin nodes running on the same computer ==
 +
 
 +
Some forks of the Bitcoin repository (e.g., Litecoin, Dogecoin, etc) are known to cause issues with Bisq starting up. Bisq can sometimes recognize altcoin nodes as Bitcoin nodes, causing Bisq to try connecting to them and then failing when it finds no Bitcoin blocks.
 +
 
 +
To solve this, switch altcoin nodes off, turn Bisq on and let it load completely. Then, turn the altcoin nodes back on.

Revision as of 05:25, 19 June 2020

You may be experiencing network issues if you're stuck on Bisq's initial loading screen for a while. Often this results in a screen mentioning outdated Tor files and other Tor settings. This could occur for a number of reasons.

Weak internet connection

Bisq generally needs a strong, fast connection to work properly. Tethering on mobile connections can work but is known to cause issues.

Windows antivirus software

Antivirus software is known to cause connection issues. Try turning it off to see if it helps Bisq to connect, and if it does, consider switching antivirus software or running Bisq on another operating system on which you don't need to run antivirus.

Being temporarily banned by the Tor network

Trying to open Bisq too many times in a short timeframe can result in failing to connect to the Tor network. Simple wait 30-60 minutes and then try opening Bisq again.

Tor censorship

In certain situations, Bisq may fail to start because your ISP or network provider is actively blocking Tor.

Tor is tries to fight such obstacles by providing bridges. Bridges help you connect to the Tor network through a less well-known node. If you know someone who runs a bridge, you can ask to use their bridge, or you can go to https://bridges.torproject.org/bridges to pick a bridge listed by the Tor Project.

If you're in China, this method using SStap has worked to get around the Great Firewall.

Tor bridges that don't work

Some network administrators try really hard to block all Tor activity on their network (universities are infamous for this) and will even sometimes block specific types of SSL traffic and handshakes.

In these scenarios, consider using a VPN and then running Bisq from within the VPN tunnel.

Altcoin nodes running on the same computer

Some forks of the Bitcoin repository (e.g., Litecoin, Dogecoin, etc) are known to cause issues with Bisq starting up. Bisq can sometimes recognize altcoin nodes as Bitcoin nodes, causing Bisq to try connecting to them and then failing when it finds no Bitcoin blocks.

To solve this, switch altcoin nodes off, turn Bisq on and let it load completely. Then, turn the altcoin nodes back on.