Bitcoin Core Functional Tests Failing on Windows 10 with WSL2
As a developer working on Bitcoin, you rely on testing your code to ensure its stability and functionality. However, when running tests like test/functional/test_runner.py on Windows 10 using WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux), you encounter errors that prevent your tests from continuing.
In this article, we will examine the issues encountered when running these tests on Windows 10 with WSL2 and provide solutions to resolve them.
The Issue
The main reason for these tests failing is a known issue in the Bitcoin Core (BTC) codebase. The feature_fee_estimation.py file contains tests that attempt to estimate feature fees, which are a core part of the Bitcoin protocol. Unfortunately, due to a critical bug, these tests fail when run on Windows 10 with WSL2.
The specific error message provided is:
Feature fee estimation failed.
Solution
To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
- Update your testing environment: Make sure you have the latest version of Bitcoin Core installed and updated to the latest releases.
- Use a different testing directory
: Instead of using
/mnt/tmp, try mounting a temporary 4GB hard drive (/mnt/tmp/cache) to provide more space for testing.
- Disable caching: Temporarily disable caching in your test runner by changing the
--cachediroption:
test/functional/test_runner.py --cachedir=/mnt/tmp
This will prevent cached results from being re-run, which may help resolve the issue.
- Run tests manually
: Instead of using the automatic testing feature, run each test individually to isolate the issue.
- Check for updates: Make sure you have the latest updates installed for your testing environment and Bitcoin Core.
Additional Considerations
- If you are experiencing issues with other tests or related code changes, it is essential to check the Bitcoin Core repository and issue tracker for relevant updates or bug reports.
- If you encounter additional errors or have questions about testing or debugging Bitcoin Core, consider reaching out to the Bitcoin Community Forums or Stack Overflow.
Conclusion
While running these tests on Windows 10 with WSL2 can be challenging due to a critical issue in the Bitcoin Core codebase, following these steps should help resolve the issues you are encountering. By taking these precautions and checking for updates, you can ensure that your tests continue to work as expected.