Introduction
Are you facing the frustrating error message “Could not fetch chain ID. Is your RPC URL correct?” when trying to connect your local Ethereum network to MetaMask? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many users have encountered this issue while attempting to integrate their local node with MetaMask. In this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, we’ll explore the possible causes of this error and provide step-by-step solutions to help you resolve it. Let’s dive in!
Understanding the Error
When you’re running a local Ethereum node, such as Geth, and trying to connect it to MetaMask, you may encounter the error message “Could not fetch chain ID. Is your RPC URL correct?” This error typically occurs when there is a mismatch between the chain ID specified in your node configuration and the chain ID entered in MetaMask’s custom RPC settings.
Troubleshooting Steps
Follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the “Could not fetch chain ID. Is your RPC URL correct?” error:
- Check your RPC URL: Ensure that the RPC URL you entered in MetaMask matches the URL of your local node. It’s crucial to provide the correct IP address and port number for successful communication.
- Verify chain ID consistency: Confirm that the chain ID you specified in your local node’s configuration file matches the chain ID entered in MetaMask. They must be identical for seamless integration.
- Use loopback IP address: Instead of using “localhost” in your RPC URL, try using the loopback IP address “127.0.0.1.” This change has resolved the issue for many users.
- Update network ID: Check if your local node’s network ID matches the one specified in MetaMask. If they differ, update either the local node’s network ID or MetaMask’s network ID to ensure compatibility.
- Configure CORS settings: If you’re using Ganache or a similar tool, ensure that the HTTP CORS domain and virtual hosts are correctly configured. For example, add the flags
--http.corsdomain=*and--http.vhosts=*to your node’s startup command.
Conclusion
By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the “Could not fetch chain ID. Is your RPC URL correct?” error and successfully connect your local Ethereum network to MetaMask. Remember to double-check your RPC URL, chain ID consistency, and network ID alignment. Additionally, configuring the CORS settings can help ensure seamless communication between your node and MetaMask.
Now you’re ready to enjoy the full functionality of MetaMask with your local Ethereum network.
