How to Fix ERROR_BROKEN_PIPE in Various Scenarios

The ERROR_BROKEN_PIPE typically occurs when one process tries to write data to another process that is no longer available to receive it. Often it may come with the 109 (0x6D) The pipe has been ended error message as well.

This can happen in various contexts, such as SSH connections, network communications, or inter-process communications. So, first, determine where the error is occurring (e.g., SSH session, network communication, or a specific application).

How do I fix ERROR_BROKEN_PIPE?

1. Check the network stability

• Ensure that your network connection is stable. Unstable connections can often cause broken pipe errors.
• Use tools like ping or traceroute to diagnose network issues.

2. Increase the SSH KeepAlive Settings (for SSH Errors)

1. Edit the SSH configuration file on the client side (/etc/ssh/ssh_config or ~/.ssh/config): Host * ServerAliveInterval 60 ServerAliveCountMax 5
2. This configuration sends a keepalive message every 60 seconds and allows up to 5 missed messages before disconnecting.

3. Handle Broken Pipe in scripts

Use trap to catch the SIGPIPE signal in your scripts: #!/bin/bash trap 'echo "Broken pipe signal detected" >&2' PIPE yes | head echo "Script finished"

4. Check Application Logs

Review logs for any application-specific errors or warnings that might indicate why the connection was broken.

If you detect any such problems, try reinstalling the problematic application or reconfigure it to the correct values for your environment.

Also, ensure that all relevant software (e.g., SSH client/server, network drivers) is up to date. Sometimes, bugs causing broken pipe errors are fixed in newer versions.

5. Increase the buffer sizes (for Network Applications)

If you are dealing with network applications, consider increasing the buffer sizes to handle larger amounts of data without breaking the pipe.

That is because the ERROR_BROKEN_PIPE can be caused by an overstressed connection between the client and server.

Refer to the documentation of the specific software or protocol you are using for any additional troubleshooting steps or configuration options.

You should also adjust the Server Timeout Settings in case of a SSH error. Try to edit the SSH configuration file on the server side and restart the SSH service afterwards.

By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and fix the ERROR_BROKEN_PIPE in most scenarios. However, there solutions are not direct solutions, but procedures to apply in specific cases.

For instance, the Error PDF Validation broken pipe is a similar case of a broken pipe error. Hit the highlighted link to get to the bottom of it.

Our latest article tackles the Error_Pipe_Busy issue, so don’t miss it for more information. We also have a guide on Error_Pipe_Local, so feel free to visit it.

If you need more specific guidance based on your context, feel free to ask in the comments below.