Start up
MultiBit finds peers and opens connections. This usually takes a few seconds.
Network Connections and Sync
How MultiBit connects to Bitcoin peers, keeps up with new blocks, and sends your payments out.
The connection model
MultiBit talks directly to Bitcoin peers. There is no MultiBit server between you and the network.
Illustrative diagram, not a live connection
MultiBit starts with no server to call. Everything it learns comes from the Bitcoin network directly.
What happens during normal operation
Catch up
It downloads headers since the last session. After a long break this can take several minutes.
Stay current
New blocks and wallet transactions arrive as peers announce them.
Reading the status bar
Synchronizing
Headers are still downloading. Balances may be out of date.
Up to date
The wallet has reached the latest block its peers know about.
No connection
No peers are reachable. You can view saved data but cannot send.
Sending a transaction
Signed transactions are sent to the connected peers, who relay them across the network. If no peers are connected, the payment waits and is broadcast when the connection returns.
Common connection problems
Stuck at 0 peers
A firewall or network filter may block outgoing connections on Bitcoin's default port, 8333.
Sync is slow
Leave the app open. Catching up after weeks offline takes longer than a daily session.
Balance looks wrong
Wait for synchronization to finish before comparing against another source.
Connection not behaving as expected?
Check common synchronization and payment issues before changing wallet files.