Bitcoin Core is the most popular software used to access the Bitcoin network. However, one of the biggest challenges many users face is the slow syncing process. When launching Bitcoin Core for the first time, the software will download and verify the entire blockchain, which can take weeks or even months, depending on the computer’s processing power and internet speed.
In this article, we will explain how to make Bitcoin Core sync faster.
1. Increase the Number of Connections
By default, Bitcoin Core is set to connect to eight peers. However, you can increase this number to improve download speeds. Go to the “Settings” tab, then click “Options,” followed by “Network.” In the “Connections” section, change the value from eight to a higher number, such as 16 or 32. This will increase the number of nodes that your computer is connected to, which can speed up the syncing process.
2. Use the Latest Version of Bitcoin Core
Bitcoin Core developers are constantly working to improve the software’s performance, and new versions are released regularly. Upgrading to the latest version can help speed up the syncing process. Check the official website to download the latest version of Bitcoin Core.
3. Use a Solid-State Drive (SSD)
Using an SSD instead of a traditional hard drive can significantly improve syncing speeds. SSDs can read and write data much faster than hard drives, which can reduce the time it takes to download and verify the blockchain. If you have an SSD, consider installing Bitcoin Core on it to speed up the syncing process.
4. Prune the Blockchain
Pruning the blockchain is a process that removes older and unnecessary data from the blockchain, which can reduce the size of the blockchain and speed up the syncing process. To prune the blockchain, go to the “Settings” tab, then click “Options,” followed by “Prune.” Choose the amount of disk space you want to allocate to the blockchain, then click “OK.” This will remove old data from the blockchain, which can reduce the syncing time.
5. Use a Bootstrap File
A bootstrap file is a file that contains a pre-downloaded copy of the blockchain, which can be used to speed up the syncing process. To use a bootstrap file, go to the official Bitcoin website and download the latest bootstrap file. Once downloaded, save the file to a location on your computer, then open Bitcoin Core and go to the “Settings” tab. Click “Options,” followed by “Datadir.” Copy the directory path, then close Bitcoin Core. Navigate to the directory path, then delete everything in the folder except for the “wallet.dat” file. Copy the bootstrap file you downloaded earlier into the folder, then reopen Bitcoin Core. The software will now use the bootstrap file to speed up the syncing process.
In conclusion, Bitcoin Core can be a powerful tool for accessing the Bitcoin network, but syncing the blockchain can take a long time. By following these tips, you can speed up the syncing process and get started using Bitcoin Core faster.