"Wasabi was unable to connect to the server. Retrying..."

[batmanbytes]

On a fresh new virtual machine, I get this error when trying to connect my testnet4 wallet. It obviously refers to the indexer server, but 1) why is it now complaining about it? (I've already tested this before, with no issues) 2) what should I do about it to sync?

This is the only part of the source code that this message exists:

 <!-- Warning message TODO: use InfoMessage control-->
          <DockPanel
            IsVisible="{Binding HealthMonitor.State, Converter={x:Static converters:HealthMonitorStateVisibilityConverter.Instance}, ConverterParameter={x:Static models:HealthMonitorState.ConnectionIssueDetected}}">
            <PathIcon Data="{StaticResource info_regular}"
                      DockPanel.Dock="Top"
                      HorizontalAlignment="Center"
                      Height="30" />
            <TextBlock DockPanel.Dock="Bottom"
                       Text="Wasabi was unable to connect to the server. Retrying..."
                       TextWrapping="Wrap"
                       TextAlignment="Center" />
          </DockPanel>

I don't understand a lot.

[lontivero]

It seems the testnet indexer is down. I requested the server maintainer to restart it. The alternative is to use your own bitcoin node.

[batmanbytes]

Okay, problem fixed, but I think this is a significant limiter. Why does the user need an indexer? Isn't the compact block filters used for the purpose of syncing? What else does the user need to sync?

[lontivero]

Users don't need an indexer. Only users who don't want to run a node need an indexer. The indexer is because at the time wasabi was developed there was no p2p compact filters and even today there are very few nodes providing them.

[batmanbytes]

I could bet there are a lot of users that don't run a node but use Wasabi. I myself have used it very often this way, because it is convenient and I know there is no privacy downside.

BTW, what is the evidence there are very few nodes providing compact block filters?

[marco-pedron]

I have same issue. I am running wasabi without a node on TestNet4. I can see Tor is running and that there are most of the times at least 10 peers.

[batmanbytes]

The default indexer (https://api.wasabiwallet.io) is down. Currently, you can only sync using your own node and by configuring blockfilterindex=1 in your bitcoin.conf.