Problem starting bitcoin core

[DSRUK36]

Hi Guy's,

I've got a problem with my software please see below.

Here are my pertinent info bits;

Client:Bitcoin Core 64 bit 0.21.0
OS: Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit
Hardware: i7 3770K, 32GB RAM, HDD 2TB 1.27 free space
Problem description: When the pc comes on there is a window with the following words;

Error initializing settings:Failed loading settings file: - Unable to parse settings file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\Bitcoin\settings.json

Any idea's what has happened or how to remedy?

Thanks, D

[mocacinno]

A quick search on the forum turned up this thread:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5319613.0

Can you read through and try the sollution suggested therein?

[DSRUK36]

Thanks I'll see if i can get my head around it. 

[DSRUK36]

Ok so I found the file yet I cannot for the life of me open the fecking thing. When ever I do with notepad, wordpad or any other file I've tried the page is blank!?!?

[ranochigo]

Ok so I found the file yet I cannot for the life of me open the fecking thing. When ever I do with notepad, wordpad or any other file I've tried the page is blank!?!?

It shouldn't be blank. It contains the names of the wallet files that you've opened and tells Bitcoin Core to open it on start up.

Try moving the settings.json to another directory or renaming it and launch Bitcoin Core again. It should launch just fine.

[BitMaxz]

Ok so I found the file yet I cannot for the life of me open the fecking thing. When ever I do with notepad, wordpad or any other file I've tried the page is blank!?!?

Close the bitcoin core first before you edit or if the folder is under the system then you need to make a copy and put it on the desktop then edit it again with notepad.
Then replace the old one with the new copy by deleting the old one and paste the new one.

If still doesn't work try to edit it with notepad++.

[DSRUK36]

Right I can't believe it worked but here's what I did.

I opened the blank file. Put { then } underneath it, saved the file started btc core and it worked!? So I guess somehow the file got wiped.

[mocacinno]

Well, that's exactly the sollution detailed in the thread i linked to... replace the content by an empty json element ({ }) 
The content of the file is merely saving gui settings anyways, so replacing the content with an empty element...

[NotATether]

Also note that if you get any error opening block file message after this just ignore it. The database needs to be rebuilt by passing the -reindex option.

[DSRUK36]

I know I thought there was a problem and I couldn't see the text that should have been in the box. I couldn't believe it when the two symbols were the only thing meant to be there lol.

[nc50lc]

If it ever happened again, deleting "settings.json" will do the same, Bitcoin core will create a new settings file with "{ }" during the next launch.
Of course backup is recommended.