diff --git a/docs/troubleshooting.rst b/docs/troubleshooting.rst index fbd51b9c0a..7605718e66 100644 --- a/docs/troubleshooting.rst +++ b/docs/troubleshooting.rst @@ -88,3 +88,26 @@ Here are some links to testnet ether instructions (in no particular order): - `Kovan `_ - `Rinkeby `_ - `Ropsten `_ + + +.. _account_troubleshooting: + +Why can't I create an account? +------------------------------ + +If you're seeing the error ``The method personal_newAccount does not exist/is not available``, +you may be trying to create an account while connected to a remote node provider, like Infura. +As a matter of security, remote nodes cannot create accounts. + +If you are in fact running a local node, make sure that it's properly configured to accept ``personal`` +methods. For Geth, that looks something like: ``--http.api personal,eth,net,web3``. + +In general, your options for accounts are: + +- Run a node (e.g., Geth) locally, connect to it via the local port, then use the ``personal`` API. +- Import a keystore file for an account and :ref:`extract the private key`. +- Create an account via the :ref:`eth-account ` API, e.g., ``new_acct = w3.eth.account.create()``. +- Use an external service (e.g., MyCrypto) to generate a new account, then securely import its private key. + +.. Warning:: Don't store real value in an account until you are familiar with security best practices. + If you lose your private key, you lose your account! diff --git a/docs/web3.eth.account.rst b/docs/web3.eth.account.rst index e7a9454f03..001248b1df 100644 --- a/docs/web3.eth.account.rst +++ b/docs/web3.eth.account.rst @@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ Using private keys usually involves ``w3.eth.account`` in one way or another. Re or see a full list of things you can do in the docs for :class:`eth_account.Account `. +.. _extract_geth_pk: + Extract private key from geth keyfile ---------------------------------------------