# Diagnostic tools

Here are several tools you can use to investigate and diagnose common issues with IPFS.

# IPLD Explorer

IPLD Explorer (opens new window) allows you to visualize and explore the IPLD DAG representing a given CID or CAR file. The tool provides the following featured datasets to explore:

# IPFS check

IPFS check (opens new window) determines the retrievability of a given CID from an IPFS node given its multiaddress. Each error type output by the tool can indicate a solution to your problem:

  • Could not connect to the multiaddr indicates that machines on the internet cannot talk to your machine. Fix your firewall, add port forwarding, or use a relay.
  • Could not find address in the dht indicates that your machine is either not connected to the IPFS Public DHT (even as a client), or it is not advertising the address that you are using to test.
  • Multihash not advertised in the dht indicates that your machine has not advertised that it has the requested content in the IPFS Public DHT. If you're using kubo, enable the Accelerated DHT Client (opens new window).
  • Peer has not responded that it has the CID indicates that your node cannot find the data that you believe it has, or that there may be some other sort of network latency.

# CID inspector

CID inspector (opens new window) breaks down a given CID into information that can be useful for understanding CIDs. Specifically, the tool provides:

  • A human-readable form of the CID
  • Information on the CID components
  • The length of the binary and Base32 encoded CID
  • The CIDv1 representation, if applicable

Learn more about CID concepts, including components and versions in the content addressing concepts guide.

# IPFS Gateway Checker

WARNING

Community-operated IPFS HTTP Gateways may be abused for phishing, which will generally raise a browser alert. Before using a community-operated gateway, you can inspect the URL with a tool like Google's Safe Browsing site status (opens new window).

IPFS Gateway Checker (opens new window) provides status information for public IPFS gateways. This information is useful in deciding on which public gateway provider to use, or troubleshooting problems with your current public gateway provider.

# DAG builder visualiser

DAG builder visualiser (opens new window) allows you to upload a CAR file and visualize it as a DAG. You can toggle parameters that determine how the DAG will be visualized, such as typ (Balanced, Trickle, Flat) and max amount of children.

# CAR Builder

CAR Builder (opens new window) allows you to upload a data file and export it as an IPFS CAR file. The tool automatically chunks and hashes your files to automatically produce an IPFS compatible content-addressed archive.

# pl-diagnose

pl-diagnose (opens new window) is a browser-based software application that automates diagnosis of various issues with an IPFS node. Specifically, this tool can help you answer these questions:

  • Is a given CID available on the IPFS network and, if so, which peers are listed in the DHT as providers?
  • Which addresses are listed in the DHT for a given IPFS node?
  • Is an IPFS node accessible by other peers?
  • Is specific content available from an IPFS node?