[Solved] eBlocker works, but Settings page is blank after update to latest version (2.7.7 I guess)

Posted by: @mr-bien

Did someone else had this issue already? 

This is not a known issue.

Please access the Settings by clicking the Settings icon in the Dashboard. If you get a blank page, please share a screenshot (or just the output) of the browser console (see here  https://appuals.com/open-browser-console/ ) 

Are you using any browser plugins/which, have you tried other browsers (than Safari)?

THX!

Sorry for the delay. I had problems with some characters while pasting the logfile so I was told to be "blacklisted". I made a screenshot now.

I tried with Safari and Chrome. Both Chrome and Safari have 1Password and AdGuard Extensions installed.

The Safari Java-Script Console (that's the only one I can find just says) :

Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 (Not Found)

On Chrome, I saw nothing in the console when loading the Settings-Page. Anyway, when loading the Dashboard I get the following output to the console. This also contains some errors. May be that helps?

@mr-bien 🤔 Strange. I‘m a bit clueless.

Things to try:

1. Clear browser cache and cookies completely. Retry access.
2. Make sure to disable additional plugins or other tools that might interfere.
3. Try accessing settings directly by eBlocker’s IP and stating https protocol explicitly. So, https://<eBlocker-IP>:3443/settings/ or if admin pass is set https://<eBlocker-IP>:3443/settings/#!/login

THX!

Thanks for the hints. I tried all of them but no change.

I wonder if it would make sense to reinstall the OS completely. Is there some instructions to do this for the original white cube without having access to the Settings-page? Recall that I had issues during the installation (I had to unplug after 90mins as the blocker was not responding anymore).

@mr-bien 🤔 Honestly, from your console output I would have expected that either some login cookie or 1password send wrong/invalid credentials. 

Of course „as the last try“ you can always reset eBlocker to Factory Settings (also by using an USB stick): https://eblocker.org/docs/reset-to-factory-settings/

But I still feel it‘s rather a browser/plugin issue. Simply (shift) reloading the „blank page“ did not work? Have you tried a different device to access Settings?

THX!

Ok, I will try again later again with the browser when I am back home. I will also use others like Firefox and Opera. They should not have plugins installed at all. 

Indeed I also recognized some messages suggesting an authentication issue. Anyway, I do not have any admin passwords or so set for eBlocker. So, which credentials could be meant? And, when accessing the Settings page, it says "page not found". The Output I sent was for accessing the Dashboard, what still works for all devices.

As mentioned above I also tried my mobile phone. iPhone, Safari. Same result.

Posted by: @mr-bien

And, when accessing the Settings page, it says "page not found".

Could you please take a screenshot of this and the URL shown in the browser. I thought you talk about a blank page - not a 404 (= very much different)...

THX!

Well, the screen is blank. In the console it said page not found. You want me to take a screenshot of the blank page? I pasted the shown text already above. This was the safari output. 

is there a way to ssh to the blocker or something and to look deeper into it? I still only see the attempt to reinstall everything. 

I tried to access via IP address. No change. I tried with chrome, opera, safari, on mobile phone etc. always the same result. I am quite sure that the page really is not a available. 

Posted by: @random

Could you please take a screenshot of this and the URL shown

🤔… see bold. ?

Anyway, there is no need for a „reinstall“. You could either do a factory reset as discussed above. Or if you have auto updates enabled wait for the next update which might fix this by chance.

Also, I‘m not sure why you‘d need Settings access so desperately at all, if everything works well. Never touch a working system 😉

Concrete: Which Settings function are you missing? There might be a chance the particular function URL works…. BTW: Using (Remote) Dashboards you can pretty much configure each device similar as using the Settings. So if I were you, I would rather try to work around - or try the factory reset…

Good luck.

THX!

Well, not all functions are available in the dashboard. Sometimes I need the https-Connection-Sniffer or other functions required to make apps work.

What is a factory reset doing? When I am thinking about reinstalling, I hope that not everything I configured (trusted apps etc) is lost.

Posted by: @mr-bien

What is a factory reset doing?

Not overly complicated: The device is set to the state as it came from factory…🤓

I guess the options are clear now. 🤔😉

To resume: Due to the disconnect of power after the last update the device is in some strange state which makes the console (settings) irresponsive. 

Again, I would wait to see if maybe someone else has other ideas or a future update „cures“ the strange state again. Next bigger update is due end of October. 

Your choice… 

THX! 

PS: If everything fails can always reinstall the eBlockerOS image (for M2+) on a micro SD card.

PPS: To access just the recording function try http://192.168.2.55:3000/settings/#!/https/manualrecording it might work…

@mr-bien I think there is a slight chance that any system update will fix the problem as it will replace a couple of files that appear to be corrupted on your eBlocker.

Ok, thanks @mainzelm and in particular @random for your support. I will wait for another update which hopefully just fixes the issue on my end. I will let you know then.

Just a last comment on the power disconnect. During update it has been mentioned one should wait for 10mins or so. I disconnected after 90mins as nothing happened anymore and no internet access was possible (and I was fired with eggs by my family! 🙂 ) anymore and I did not want to reconfigure my router to not use the eBlocker.

@mr-bien 

Could you open the Terminal on macOS and run the following command?

curl -i -L  http://192.168.2.55/ 

(Assuming that 192.168.2.55 is the IP address of your eBlocker.)

Please post the output of the command.

Thanks!

Here it is:

$ curl -i -L http://192.168.2.55

HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently

Cache-Control: no-cache, no-store, must-revalidate

location: /settings/

content-type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

content-length: 0

HTTP/1.1 200 OK

X-UA-Compatible: IE=edge

Cache-Control: private,max-age=3600

content-type: text/html; charset=UTF-8

Expires: Thu, 23 Sep 2021 06:36:15 GMT

Last-Modified: Tue, 14 Sep 2021 12:02:37 GMT

Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2021 05:36:15 GMT

content-length: 785

<!DOCTYPE html><html ng-app="eblocker.adminconsole" ng-strict-di><head><style>.ng-hide{display:none!important}</style><title ng-bind="title"></title><meta name="referrer" content="no-referrer"><meta name="referrer" content="never"><meta charset="utf-8"><meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge, chrome=1"><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1,maximum-scale=1,minimum-scale=1,user-scalable=no"><link rel="shortcut icon" href="/img/fav/favicon.ico"><link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/main-1250451aae.css"></head><body class="eblocker-adminconsole"><div style="width:100%" layout="column" layout-fill ui-view></div><script src="/settings/app-74fc4a646d.min.js"></script><script src="/settings/templates-4cd94ca51e.settings.js"></script></body></html>

$

@mr-bien 

OK, that looks good.

Do you see any JavaScript errors if you:

• Open http://192.168.2.55/settings/ in the browser
• Right click on the page and select "Inspect element"
• Click on "Console" in the inspector
• Reload the page

The Console shows: nothing (after reloading the page). It is empty.

If someone finds some time over the weekend I could offer to set up a webex-call and share screens ... 🙂

I have the same issue.

The system works and the dashboard is available but the setting page is blank.

I tried different browsers (Edge, Chrome, Safari) without success.

I guess it came with the update to 2.7.7 before it worked.

Can anyone help please?

@mr-bien @pat This seems a very rare case and we need to find the cause to help (or even fix a bug). Could you both please try to answer all questions from the readme (even you have no access to the Settings):  https://eblocker.org/community/announcements/before-posting-here-please-read/#post-117

@pat Could you please additionally answer the questions in the thread above (which @mr-bien answered already). Btw: Did you also unplug the eBlocker after update?

We need to find out what is similar in your environments to drill down to the cause. 🤔

THX!

• Hardware you use for running eBlockerOS
  • the white cube
• eBlockerOS version as well as filter lists version
  • 2.7.7, filter lists I cannot trace anymore (settings page gone)
• eBlocker network mode (auto, individual or expert)
  • cannot trace, should be auto. Never changed anything for this setting
• eBlocker network settings (IP, mask, gateway)
  • 192.168.2.55, 255.255.255.0 (I guess), 192.168.2.1
• Which devices runs DHCP server? Router/external, eBlocker or client fixed IP?
  • eBlocker, fixed IP
• IPv6 disabled for client/network?
  • enabled for client
• eBlocker DNS firewall settings
  • I think I never enabled that one
• Client network settings (IP, mask, DNS, gateway)
  • 192.168.2.23, 255.255.255.0, eBlocke serves both as DNS and router
• Whether eBlocker’s https integration is enabled for client 
  • yes, enabled
• Client browser and OS version (i.e. FireFox 80.1 running on macOS 13.4)
  • Safari Version 15.0 (16612.1.29.41.4, 16612), Big Sur 11.6 (20G165) MAC OS
• Additional non default Blockers enabled? (like DuckDuckGo, Consent-Blocker, custom lists etc.)
  • custom lists used (easylist)
• HTTPS Auto Trust App enabled?
  • no, disabled
• Exact way or a link / screenshot to reproduce the issue
  • just try to open settings page 
• If VPN or Tor is enabled for the client in eBlocker (and which VPN provider you are using)
  • not used
• Are automatic updates enabled?
  • yes
• Please use a meaningful title & description other users with same issue would enter as search term
  • tried my best

I tried to answer as much as I can.

Hardware you use for running eBlockerOS - Original White Cube
eBlockerOS version - 2.7.7
eBlocker network mode (auto, individual or expert) - auto (default setting)
eBlocker network settings (IP, mask, gateway) - 192.168.178.5, 255.255.255.0, 192.168.178.1
Which devices runs DHCP server? Router/external, eBlocker or client fixed IP? -Router FritzBox 7362SL, fixed IP eblcker / client
IPv6 disabled for client/network? - no
eBlocker DNS firewall settings - The funktion test on dashboard shows a failure for DNS Firewall.
Client network settings (IP, mask, DNS, gateway) - 192.168.178.5, 255.255.255.0, 192.168.178.1
Whether eBlocker’s https integration is enabled for client
Client browser and OS version – Win10 Version 10.0.19043, Microsoft Edge Version 94.0.992.31
Additional non default Blockers enabled? - no, uBlock Origin disabled
HTTPS Auto Trust App enabled? - ?
If VPN or Tor is enabled for the client in eBlocker (and which VPN provider you are using) - no VPN/Tor
Are automatic updates enabled? - Yes

-----

run: curl -i -L removed link

HTTP removed link 301 Moved Permanently
Cache-Control: no-cache, no-store, must-revalidate
location: /settings/
content-type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
content-length: 0

HTTP removed link 200 OK
X-UA-Compatible: IE=edge
Cache-Control: private,max-age=3600
content-type: text/html; charset=UTF-8
Expires: Mon, 27 Sep 2021 22:11:02 GMT
Last-Modified: Tue, 14 Sep 2021 12:02:37 GMT
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2021 21:11:02 GMT
content-length: 785

<!DOCTYPE html><html ng-app="eblocker.adminconsole" ng-strict-di><head><style>.ng-hide{display:none!important}</style><title ng-bind="title"></title><meta name="referrer" content="no-referrer"><meta name="referrer" content="never"><meta charset="utf-8"><meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge, chrome=1"><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1,maximum-scale=1,minimum-scale=1,user-scalable=no"><link rel="shortcut icon" href=" removed link "><link rel="stylesheet" href=" removed link "></head><body class="eblocker-adminconsole"><div style="width:100%" layout="column" layout-fill ui-view></div><script src=" removed link "></script><script src=" removed link "></script></body></html>

----------

nspect element of Setting page, Console output

I hope this helps to fix the bug

Posted by: @random

Btw: Did you also unplug the eBlocker after update?

Yes, I did as a first bug fix action.

@pat 

There seems to be a broken JavaScript file on your eBlocker.

Could you please try the following Curl commands and attach the output files "eblocker-app.js" and "eblocker-app.gz"?

curl -i -L -o eblocker-app.js  http://eblocker.box/settings/app-74fc4a646d.min.js 

curl -i -L -o eblocker-app.gz -H 'Accept-Encoding: gzip'  http://eblocker.box/settings/app-74fc4a646d.min.js 

Thanks!

I performed the Curl commands.

file of the first command is attached.

second command didn´t deliver a file.

curl -i -L -o eblocker-app.gz -H 'Accept-Encoding: gzip' http://eblocker.box/settings/app-74fc4a646d.min.js
% Total % Received % Xferd Average Speed Time Time Time Current
Dload Upload Total Spent Left Speed
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 --:--:-- --:--:-- --:--:-- 0curl: (6) Could not resolve host: gzip'
curl: (6) Could not resolve host: eblocker.box

@pat 

Sorry, I didn't know that the windows shell does not support single quotes. So this should work for the second command:

curl -i -L -o eblocker-app.gz -H "Accept-Encoding: gzip"  http://eblocker.box/settings/app-74fc4a646d.min.js 

If "eblocker.box" cannot be resolved, you might have to replace it with the IP of your eBlocker.

with the IP instead of "eblocker.box" it worked

@mr-bien @pat

It seems that some of the compressed JavaScript files are corrupt. These files are written during the configuration phase of the update.

It might help to force this configuration again using the steps described here: https://eblocker.org/docs/update-recovery/

I followed the update recovery procedure but without success.
After reboot eBlocker is running again, dashboard is available but the setting page is still not reachable. (page will be loaded but is blank)

@pat 

Are there any messages in the text file "eblocker-update-recovery.txt" on the USB drive after the procedure?

Yes, message is;

Tue 28 Sep 2021 05:34:07 PM CEST
Update recovery - Finished without error.

furthermore there is a .html file (eblocker-status.html) on the USB stick, whitch shows the following ...

@pat

Thanks for the info. It's very strange that the package configuration was successful, but still the compressed JavaScript files are corrupted.

Could you do another experiment? You can disable the compression in Firefox:

• Type about:config in the address bar
• Accept the disclaimer
• Search for encoding
• Double-click the entry network.http.accept-encoding
• Remove gzip, from the value and press RETURN

Now the browser will not ask for the compressed files and the eBlocker should send the uncompressed files. Can you now access the settings at http://eblocker.box/settings/ ?

If you can, please create a diagnostics report at System / Diagnostics and share it via e-mail with support(at)eblocker.org.

Thanks!

I tried the above procedure as well (-> setting the encoding). After that, I was able to access the settings page again. I will send the diagnostics file to the mentioned address.

Maybe it works for @pat as well.

BTW, I once checked for updates in "Licenses & Update" -> "Update". I pushed "Manual Update". Then it said "one update available". After pushing "Update Now", then it almost did nothing but just throws me back to the start page. May be as there actually is no update? I am on 2.7.7 already.

@mr-bien 

Thank you for the diagnostics report!

In your case, the update really was interrupted, so further updates can not be installed. You have to perform the steps in https://eblocker.org/docs/update-recovery/  to get further updates.

I tried the procedure as described in https://eblocker.org/docs/update-recovery/  but it seems that also with this something does not work for me. It feels that nothing is done. The touched file on the the FAT32-USB still has 0 Bytes size and the eblocker just seems to restart without performing any reinstallation or something. It is back after only 1 Minutes or so. Is there any way to trouble shoot this?

@bpr 

I was also able to enter the setting page. report has been sent.

@pat 

Thank you for the diagnostics report. It looks OK, there is enough disk space and further updates are possible.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to repair the compressed JavaScript files. If the workaround with Firefox works for you I suggest to wait for the next update.

Otherwise, you could download the M2+ image, write it to an SD card and plug it in the board. But that requires opening the case and re-configuring everything.

@bpr 

Ok, I will proceed with the Firefox workaround.
If the issue is still present after the next update may I can come back to this forum, right?

Thank you for your support, this is not usual for an open source project.
Please proceed ​and good luck for the future.

I was waiting for the 2.8 release to continue with this.

Now I managed to successfully complete the update recovery procedure. I used the third different USB-Stick and finally it worked. Don't know which mistake I did with the other two before.

Anyway, pressing the "Check Now" button for manual updates yields "17 updates available". Issiung "update now" starts "something", but almost immediately the eblocker is restarted in the same state as before. OS is still 2.7.7 and there are still 17 updates available.

What am I doing wrong or what do I misinterpret?

@mr-bien I‘m sorry to hear this. Unfortunately I‘m clueless 🤔 Last chance (that works for sure) is to open the case and add a micro SD card with the M2+ image. 

@bpr any other/better ideas?

THX!

Would it be of help to review / send the diagnosis report again? Or a factory reset?

@mr-bien 

Yes, the diagnosis report would be helpful (to support at eBlocker.org please). I suggest we check this first and come back with more background. 🧐

Just sent the diagnostics report

@mr-bien

Thanks for the diagnostics report. The issue is again that the updates were not installed completely, i.e. the eBlocker crashed before finishing the update.

You could try to repair this again with the instructions at: https://eblocker.org/docs/update-recovery/

But since you tried that a few times already, the built-in SD card might be unreliable.

You could run the M2+ board inside the white cube from an external SD card (or switch to a Raspberry Pi 4 which is much faster).

Okay, what does this exactly mean? I need to open the device and replace the SD-Card? Any restrictions on the type of card? Capacity? Is there some instructions for this (for the white cube)?

I wonder why the update-recovery procedure returned success even though it is not. But okay, a hardware failure of the SD Card may be would not be detected properly and easily.

I will may be try once again to repeat the update-recovery procedure ... but obviously this will may be not that fruitful. 

@mr-bien The white cube contains no SD card but so called eMMC memory which is soldered to the board.

You can insert any micro SD card. 8GB and a fast card is recommended. Please check the Image Download page for instructions about writing the image etc.

Opening the case is easy. Press firm to both sides of the lower case and lift the upper part. Then remove the board by pushing the hooks at the front facing side away from the board. The micro SD card slot is clearly visible under the board (being covered by some metal housing).

Hope this helps. And sorry for the inconvenience, but the board is 5+ years old and so hardware failures - especially of onboard memory are more likely.

Personally I'd rather invest in a Raspi 4 and get much better thru-put but the choice is yours...

THX!

@random, thank you very much for your swift replies and suggestions. This is really appreciated!

I just repeated the procedure of update-recovery and waited for over 60mins until I unplugged the power cable. No changes. Same behavior as before.

May be I leave the system with the white cube as it is. I fear my family killing me when the internet connection is down for too long ... 🙂 Or I will try your instructions. I guess the SD-Card image installation is needed anyway, or? Independent of which hardware I use, right?

Regarding Rasperry Pi - which one would you concretely recommend? What is the "High End Version" also most sustainable for the future? Sorry, I never worked with them and don't know what the most recommended characteristics are.

@mr-bien The SD card can be the same but note that the OS images are different. For hardware recommendation please see the download page. 

THX!

So, finally, I bought a R-PI as suggested and just managed to replace the White Cube with the new system. Everything now runs smoothly, and I am also on the latest eBlocker-OS-Version.

Thanks again to everyone who supported me in my case.