To configure a Bitcoin-compatible Antminer for ViaBTC, enter the pool’s Stratum URL, your worker name, and an optional pool password in the miner’s web interface. This guide uses ViaBTC’s dedicated BTC endpoint.
What You Need Before You Start
Confirm that you have:
- A SHA-256 Antminer that supports BTC mining, powered on and connected to the network.
- A computer that can access the miner on the same local network.
- A ViaBTC account and your ViaBTC user ID.
- The current pool addresses from ViaBTC’s official BTC mining guide.
Get the ViaBTC BTC Mining Settings
ViaBTC’s official BTC mining guide lists these Stratum addresses:
Pool 1: stratum+tcp://btc.viabtc.io:3333
Pool 2: stratum+tcp://btc.viabtc.io:443
The worker field uses the format userID.workerID. The worker ID can contain lowercase letters and numbers, up to 64 characters. For example:
exampleuser.antminer01
Replace exampleuser with your ViaBTC user ID and antminer01 with a label for this machine. The pool password is optional; x is a simple value to use. Do not enter your ViaBTC account password here.
For this setup, use btc.viabtc.io. ViaBTC’s One-click Switch feature uses the separate bitcoin.viabtc.io endpoint and corresponding account settings to select BTC or BCH. If you want that feature, follow the One-click Switch instructions.
Log In to the Antminer Web Interface
- Find the miner’s IP address using a method supported by your model, such as Bitmain’s IP Reporter tool or your router’s connected-devices list.
- Enter the IP address into a browser on a computer connected to the same local network.
- Log in using the miner’s current web-interface credentials. If you do not know the factory credentials, check the documentation for your model and firmware.
Bitmain’s S19j setup guide illustrates this process. Menu names and login details may differ across models and firmware versions. After initial login, change the web-interface password where supported.
Configure Pool 1 and Pool 2
Open the pool configuration page, typically labeled Miner Configuration, Mining Settings, or Setting, depending on the firmware.
Antminer firmware generally provides pool slots in priority order. The miner uses Pool 1 first and switches to the next configured entry if the first connection fails. ViaBTC recommends configuring multiple ports for this purpose.
Enter these values:
Pool 1 URL: stratum+tcp://btc.viabtc.io:3333
Worker: exampleuser.antminer01
Password: x
Pool 2 URL: stratum+tcp://btc.viabtc.io:443
Worker: exampleuser.antminer01
Password: x
Replace the example user ID and worker label with your own. Use the same worker identity in both slots for this machine.
The worker name identifies the miner within your ViaBTC account; it is not a Bitcoin wallet address. You do not need to create the worker manually on ViaBTC first. The pool creates the entry automatically when it detects the configured miner’s work, as explained in How to Manage Workers.
Click Save or Save & Apply. The miner will apply the settings and attempt to connect to the pool.
Confirm That the Miner Is Working
Check the Antminer’s status page for normal local hashrate, active hashboards, and accepted shares. Share submissions alone do not confirm that the pool is accepting the work.
ViaBTC recommends allowing roughly 10–15 minutes for the miner to stabilize before checking the Workers and Earnings pages. Confirm that your worker appears as active and shows hashrate.
When comparing the miner’s display with ViaBTC, check the measurement periods:
- ViaBTC’s real-time hashrate averages the preceding 10 minutes.
- ViaBTC’s daily hashrate averages the preceding 24 hours.
- The miner’s local display may include both recent and running-average values, depending on its firmware.
A display’s refresh interval is not the same as its averaging period. Compare equivalent windows where possible, and remember that a newly started miner has not yet contributed a full day of work to the 24-hour figure.
Small short-term differences are normal. Large or persistent gaps warrant checking rejected shares, connectivity, and hardware. See ViaBTC’s explanation of why pool and miner hashrate can differ.
Troubleshooting Common Setup Problems
| Symptom | Checks to make |
|---|---|
| Worker does not appear on the dashboard | Verify the URL and port, check the userID.workerID format, confirm network connectivity, and check whether shares are being accepted. For this guide, use the dedicated BTC endpoint. |
| Miner connects but pool hashrate is not immediately visible | Allow the initial stabilization period, then check the worker status and accepted shares. Compare hashrate figures over matching time windows where possible. |
| High rejection rate | Check network latency and packet loss, Ethernet cabling and switches, operating temperature, and firmware compatibility. |
| Miner switches to a backup entry unexpectedly | Check the pool priority order and whether the primary connection failed. |
ViaBTC’s rejection-rate troubleshooting guide describes a rejection rate within 3% as normal. This is ViaBTC’s guidance, not a universal industry standard. Investigate persistent rates above that range or substantial changes from the miner’s usual level. If the configuration and network appear normal but rejection remains high, contact ViaBTC support.
Secure the Account and Miner
- Bind Google Authenticator or mobile verification to your ViaBTC account, then enable “2FA while signing in.” Follow ViaBTC’s 2FA setup guide.
- Use a unique ViaBTC account password.
- Keep your account password out of the miner’s pool-password field. Use a simple value such as
xfor this setup. - Restrict access to the miner’s local web interface to trusted devices where practical.
FAQ
Do I need to create a worker on ViaBTC before configuring the miner?
No. Enter your worker identity in the Antminer’s pool settings. ViaBTC creates the worker entry automatically when it detects the miner’s work.
Why does ViaBTC show a different hashrate from my Antminer?
The displays may use different averaging periods. ViaBTC uses a 10-minute window for real-time hashrate and a 24-hour window for daily hashrate. Check whether your miner is showing a recent or running-average value before comparing them. Investigate large or sustained differences.
Should I use my ViaBTC account password as the pool password?
No. The pool-password field is separate from ViaBTC account authentication. For this configuration, use x; your account password is unnecessary.
What should I do if the rejection rate stays high?
Check network stability, cabling, switches, miner temperature, and firmware compatibility. If the issue continues after checking the configuration and network, contact ViaBTC support. Consult the miner manufacturer for firmware-specific issues.
References
- ViaBTC Help Center: BTC Mining
- ViaBTC Help Center: What Is One-Click Switch and How to Set It Up?
- ViaBTC Help Center: How to Manage Workers
- ViaBTC Help Center: Why Is the Hashrate Shown in the Mining Pool Lower Than That of the Mining Machine?
- ViaBTC Help Center: What if the Rejection Rate Is High?
- ViaBTC Help Center: How to Set Up 2FA
- Bitmain Support: How to Set Up a New S19j