Ethereum: bitcoin-cli getinfo error code: -28

Ethereum Bitcoin CLI Getinfo Error Code: -28 on OSX Sierra

Have you had problems accessing Ethereum’s blockchain information using the Bitcoin CLI command-line interface (CLI)? More specifically, you’re seeing error code -28 when you try to get information using “bitcoin-cli getinfo” on your Mac running macOS Sierra. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the possible causes and solutions to fix this problem.

What does -28 mean?

The error code “-28” is a standard return code in Unix-like systems, including OSX Sierra. It usually indicates an unexpected operation or an internal system error that cannot be fixed using the CLI.

The Bitcoin CLI getinfo command:

Before we look at possible solutions, let’s quickly look at what the getinfo command does:

• Returns information about a block, such as hash, timestamp, size, and more.

• Lists available addresses (also known as “addresses” or “keys”) on the blockchain.

The problem with Bitcoin CLI on OSX Sierra:

The “-28” error code is specific to the getinfo command. When you run “bitcoin-cli getinfo,” it is likely trying to retrieve information from a database that stores blockchain data, including addresses and other metadata. However, for various reasons (such as configuration or system issues), an internal error may occur in the CLI, resulting in a “-28” return code.

Possible workarounds:

• Check your Bitcoin CLI configuration: Make sure you are running the latest version of Bitcoin CLI on your Mac. You can update the CLI by running “git clone && cd btccli && ./configure –with-database=/path/to/database” and then running “./configure” again. This should help resolve any database-related issues.

• Restart your Bitcoin CLI session: Sometimes simply restarting the CLI can resolve connection issues or other problems that may be causing the “-28” error code.

• Disable IPv6:

  If you are having issues with DNS resolution or connectivity, consider disabling IPv6 on your system. This is because the getinfo command relies on DNS resolution to obtain address information from the blockchain. Disabling IPv6 may help resolve this issue.

Additional troubleshooting steps:

If none of the above solutions work, try:

• Checking for conflicts with other Bitcoin CLI commands: Make sure there are no conflicting commands running in the background that may interfere with the getinfo command.

• Checking your system’s network connectivity:

  Make sure you have a stable and reliable internet connection to access the blockchain information from outside your local computer.

Conclusion:

The error code “-28” returned by Bitcoin-CLI on OSX Sierra due to an internal system problem is not usually a critical issue. By checking for issues with your configuration, restarting the CLI session, or disabling IPv6 (if applicable), you should be able to resolve this issue and access Ethereum blockchain information using “bitcoin-cli getinfo”.