KAS miner keeps restarting fix

Understanding Why KAS Miner Restarts Unexpectedly

The KAS miner is a popular tool used to mine KASPA, a blockDAG-based cryptocurrency designed for high throughput and fast transaction processing. However, users often report that their KAS miner keeps restarting, disrupting mining operations and reducing efficiency. This behavior can stem from multiple sources, including hardware limitations, software misconfiguration, power supply instability, or network-related issues. Identifying the root cause is essential to applying the correct fix.

One common reason for repeated restarts is insufficient system memory (RAM). KASPA mining, especially when using the kHeavyHash algorithm, is memory-intensive. If the system runs out of RAM, the operating system may terminate the miner process to free up resources, causing it to restart. Monitoring RAM usage via tools like Task Manager (Windows) or htop (Linux) can help detect memory exhaustion.

Another potential cause is overheating. Mining generates substantial heat, and if cooling is inadequate, the GPU or CPU may throttle or shut down to prevent damage. This triggers a restart of the mining software. Ensuring proper ventilation, cleaning dust from fans, and monitoring temperatures using tools like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner is crucial.

Configuring the KAS Miner Correctly

Improper configuration is a frequent culprit behind the KAS miner keeps restarting issue. The configuration file, usually named config.txt or passed via command-line arguments, must be set up precisely. Errors in parameters such as threads, device selection, or API settings can cause crashes.

• Ensure the number of threads does not exceed the available CPU threads. Over-allocating threads can overload the system.
• Verify that the GPU device index is correctly specified, especially in multi-GPU setups. Use the --list_devices flag to identify correct IDs.
• Set the worksize appropriately. Too high a worksize can cause GPU memory overflow, leading to restarts. A recommended starting point is --worksize 600 for most GPUs.
• Disable hyper-threading if stability issues persist, as some miners perform better with physical cores only.

For example, a stable command might look like:

./kasminer --device 0 --worksize 600 --threads 16 --url stratum+tcp://pool.kaspa.org:1110 --user YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS

Using batch scripts (Windows) or shell scripts (Linux) to launch the miner ensures consistent parameter usage and helps avoid typos.

Addressing Power and Thermal Throttling

Power delivery issues can force the miner to restart. Power Supply Units (PSUs) that are underpowered or of low quality may not sustain the load during peak mining activity, causing voltage drops and system resets. A PSU should provide at least 1.5x the total power draw of all components.

• Check if the GPU power limit is set too high in overclocking software like MSI Afterburner. Reducing power by 10–15% can improve stability.
• Enable 'Prefer Maximum Performance' in NVIDIA's power management settings via the NVIDIA Control Panel.
• On Linux, use nvidia-smi -pl [wattage] to set a safe power limit.

Thermal throttling occurs when GPU or CPU temperatures exceed safe thresholds. Most modern GPUs throttle performance at around 90–95°C, but sustained high heat can trigger driver crashes or system reboots.

• Install additional case fans or consider open-air mining rigs for better airflow.
• Use thermal paste refresh on GPUs and CPUs if temperatures are abnormally high.
• Monitor thermal trends over time to identify patterns linked to restarts.

Updating Drivers and Miner Software

Outdated GPU drivers or miner binaries can lead to instability. Older drivers may lack optimizations for the kHeavyHash algorithm or contain bugs that cause crashes under load.

• For NVIDIA GPUs, use driver version 535 or higher.
• For AMD GPUs, ensure Adrenalin 23.5.1 or newer is installed.
• Download the latest KAS miner release from official repositories like GitHub or trusted community sources.

To update the miner:

• Navigate to the miner’s installation directory.
• Backup the current config.txt or startup script.
• Replace the old executable with the new version.
• Reapply configurations and test stability.

Running outdated software may also expose the system to security vulnerabilities or incompatibility with pool protocols, both of which can result in disconnections and restarts.

Optimizing System Resources and Background Processes

Background applications can interfere with mining stability. Programs like antivirus software, automatic updates, or resource-heavy apps may consume CPU, RAM, or disk I/O, leading to miner crashes.

• Exclude the miner folder from real-time antivirus scanning.
• Disable Windows Update during mining sessions to prevent unexpected reboots.
• Use Process Lasso or systemd (Linux) to set the miner’s process priority to 'High' or 'Realtime'.

Virtual memory (pagefile) settings also impact performance. If the system runs out of virtual memory, processes may be terminated.

• Set a custom pagefile size (e.g., 16GB initial, 32GB maximum) on Windows.
• On Linux, increase swap space using fallocate and mkswap if RAM is limited.

Ensure the operating system is optimized for performance:

• Disable visual effects in Windows.
• Use a minimal Linux distribution like Ubuntu Server or Debian for dedicated mining rigs.

Monitoring and Logging for Troubleshooting

Enabling detailed logging helps identify the exact moment and cause of restarts. Most KAS miners support a --log_file parameter to write output to a file.

• Add --log_file kaspa_log.txt to your startup command.
• Check the log for error messages like 'Out of memory', 'GPU timeout', or 'Connection lost'.
• Use tail -f kaspa_log.txt on Linux to monitor logs in real time.

Third-party monitoring tools like Grafana + Prometheus or Kibana + Logstash can visualize logs and system metrics over time, making it easier to correlate restarts with specific events.

Set up automatic restart scripts as a temporary workaround:

• On Windows, use a .bat file with a loop:

  :loopkasminer.exe --your-argstimeout /t 5goto loop

• On Linux, use a while loop in a bash script:

  while true; do  ./kasminer --your-args  sleep 5done

This ensures the miner resumes quickly after a crash, though it does not fix the underlying issue.

Why does my KAS miner crash immediately after starting?Immediate crashes are often due to missing runtime libraries or incorrect GPU drivers. Install Visual C++ Redistributables on Windows and ensure your GPU driver supports OpenCL or CUDA. Run the miner from the command line to see error messages.

Can antivirus software cause KAS miner restarts?Yes, antivirus programs may flag the miner as suspicious and terminate it. Add the miner’s directory to the antivirus exclusion list and disable real-time scanning for that folder.

How do I know if my PSU is causing restarts?Signs of PSU issues include random system shutdowns, burning smells, or reboots under load. Use a PSU tester or temporarily replace it with a known-good unit to confirm.

Is it safe to run the KAS miner 24/7?Yes, but only if temperatures are controlled, power is stable, and hardware is rated for continuous use. Regularly monitor system health to prevent long-term damage.