Can no longer connect Sparrow to Umbrel

Support and Troubleshooting
1

Hello … I have been connecting Sparrow Wallet (running MAC OS M-series 2.3.1) to my Electrs server (v 0.11.0) on Umbrel. But today when I opened Sparrow I received the following error …

“Connection failed: Unknown host error (umbrel.local: nodename nor servname provided, or not known).”

My settings on Sparrow remain unchanged … URL: umbrel.local ; port 50001

These settings match my electrs server (SSL disabled)

When I look at the server settings it says:

“Could not connect: Failed to resolve address umbrel.local”

The only thing I can think of is that I opened Sparrow when away from my node to check something. I wasn’t expecting it to connect to anything but didn’t think it would screw it up.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

KG

2

Was able to access my node with Sparrow using TOR, but really perplexed why my local network connection not working. Browser is connected to Umbrel.local, Knots, and Electrs.

3

This is a common DNS resolution issue. When you opened Sparrow away from your home network, your computer couldn’t resolve umbrel.local and may have cached that failure. Here’s how to fix it:

Quick Fixes (Try in order):

1. Clear DNS Cache on Mac

Open Terminal and run:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

2. Verify Connection to Umbrel

First, make sure you’re actually connected to your home network, then test if umbrel.local resolves:

ping umbrel.local

If this fails, try finding your Umbrel’s local IP address:

arp -a | grep -i umbrel

Or check your router’s DHCP client list for “umbrel”.

3. Update Sparrow Settings

Once you have the IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.x):

  • In Sparrow, temporarily change the URL from umbrel.local to the IP address.
  • Keep port 50001.
  • Test the connection.

4. Alternative: Use .local Fix

If umbrel.local still doesn’t work, try:

  • Use http://umbrel.local (some setups need the protocol).
  • Or use umbrel without .local (varies by network config).

5. Check mDNS/Bonjour

Ensure Bonjour services are running:

sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist

Most likely cause: Your Mac cached the DNS failure from when you were away. Steps 1-2 usually resolve it immediately once you’re back on your home network.

4

Thanks, ReDzik! Really appreciate the response. I will give it a try.

Best,

KG

5

My recommendation is don’t use umbrel.local at all and always use a static IP Address instead of allowing it to DHCP from your router!

Then, you never have to worry about it changing and things loosing connections! You can still assign hostnames too!

6

Thanks! I might just stay on TOR as I can access my Umbrel on the go. I another laptop at home that still connects Sparrow to UMBREL.LOCAL and I will test it out on that one. Thanks again!