Ethereum: Geth: Missing number of completed blocks.

Ethereum: Geth – Common Issue with Missing Block Count

As a long-time Ethereum developer and user, I recently experienced an unexpected power outage that forced me to scramble to run my Geth + Prysm clients. What should have been a seamless experience quickly turned into a frustrating one as I realized that the number of completed blocks on the blockchain had been missed for the day.

This issue is not unique to this particular situation; it is a common problem faced by many Ethereum users, including developers and users who rely on Geth or other decentralized applications (dApps) built on the Ethereum network. In this article, we will delve into the causes of this issue and explore potential solutions to prevent similar issues in the future.

Understanding the Basics

Before we delve into the details of the problem, it is important to understand some basic concepts related to Ethereum and its blockchain:

• Block: A block is a collection of transactions, known as blocks, that are added to the blockchain.

• Final Block Number (FBN): The FBN is the latest block number on the Ethereum network.

• Prysm: Prysm is an Ethereum-based cryptocurrency that uses a staking consensus mechanism.

Problem with Geth and Prysm clients

When using Geth or Prysm clients to access the Ethereum blockchain, you need to know:

• The client’s local FBN is not always synchronized with the global FBN.

• If a block is not successfully added to the blockchain, it can skip a day and appear as if it has been lost.

Cause of the problem

There are several reasons why this issue may occur:

• Network congestion: High network congestion can cause blocks to be delayed or skipped.

• Server issues: Server issues or maintenance can affect block inclusion and synchronization.

• Local configuration: Incorrect local configurations, such as outdated blockchain data, can cause inconsistencies between the client FBN and the global FBN.

Workarounds and workarounds

While there are no guaranteed solutions to prevent the issue from occurring, here are some solutions you can try:

• Synchronize your clients

  : Ensure that both Geth and Prysm clients are running with local FBNs set to match the global FBN.

• Adjust your client configuration: Check if your client has any settings that could be causing the issue, such as a custom blockchain or a modified local blockchain data file.

• Contact Support: Contact the Geth and Prysm teams for assistance in resolving the issue.

While this issue is not unique to Ethereum, it highlights the importance of understanding the underlying mechanics of the network and being prepared to troubleshoot issues that may arise.

By understanding the causes of this issue and implementing workarounds or seeking support, you can minimize the impact of the issue on your daily operations.