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Ethereum: My Arbitrum Alchemy node is randomly returning -3 for block number

Published by Terlumun Aondover on February 5th, 2025.

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Ethereum Arbitrum Alchemy node error: random block number returns -3

As an Ethereum developer, you are likely frustrated with your Arbitrum Alchemy node. A common issue that causes random returns of -3 for block_number is not a typical rate limit, but rather an intermittent or misconfigured error. In this article, we will explore the possible causes and provide steps to resolve the issue.

Understanding the Ethereum Network

Before we dive deeper into the issue, it is critical to understand how the Ethereum network works. The Ethereum blockchain consists of blocks, each of which contains a set of transactions. When you query for “block_number”, Alchemy returns an integer representing the current block number on the chain.

Arbitrum Node Setup

Arbitrum is a layer 2 scaling solution that offloads some of the computational overhead from the Ethereum main chain. The Arbitrum node uses a similar architecture to the Ethereum mainnet, but is designed for faster and more efficient transactions. To set up your Arbitrum node, you will need to:

Install the Arbitrum Node (ALRS) software on your machine.

Configure ALRS with your Ethereum network settings, including the RPC provider (e.g. Alchemy).

Set up a test account or wallet to experiment with.

Possible causes of -3 block number returns

Several factors could be contributing to random “-3” block number returns:

Network congestion – If multiple users query block_number simultaneously, it can lead to network congestion, resulting in slower responses from Alchemy.

RPC Provider Issues: The Alchemy RPC API may experience errors or timeouts, causing the node to return a -3 error code.

Node Configuration Misconfigurations

: Incorrect configurations for your Arbitrum node, such as incorrect network addresses or timeout values, could cause these errors.

Blockchain Data Retrieval Issues: The Arbitrum node may not have access to the latest blockchain data, resulting in slow responses or intermittent errors.

Troubleshooting Steps

To resolve the issue, try the following:

Check Network Congestion: Make sure there are no excessive connections to the Alchemy RPC Provider.

Check for RPC provider issues – Please refer to the Alchemy documentation for error codes and troubleshooting guides specific to your node and provider.

Update Arbitrum Node Software (ALRS) – Run a full ALRS update to ensure you have the latest features and bug fixes.

Adjust node settings – Review and adjust the Arbitrum node settings, including network addresses, timeout values, and blockchain data retrieval settings.

Test with a test account or wallet – Create a test account or use a different wallet to isolate the issue and confirm it is not related to a specific user.

Conclusion

Random returns of -3 block numbers from your Arbitrum Alchemy node can be caused by a number of factors, including network congestion, RPC provider issues, node configuration misconfigurations, and blockchain data retrieval issues. By following these troubleshooting steps and identifying potential causes, you should be able to resolve the issue and get accurate “block_number” values.

Additional Resources

For more information on Ethereum Arbitrum nodes and Alchemy RPC providers, please visit the official documentation: