<p>You're getting this error because bitcoind isn't running. Once it is, it will create an authentication cookie, and bitcoin-cli will be able to connect.</p>

<p>To start bitcoind from cmd prompt, type:</p>

<pre><code>cd C:/Program\ Files/Bitcoin/daemon/
</code></pre>

<p>Press enter, then type:</p>

<pre><code>bitcoind
</code></pre>

<p>And press enter.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-05T14:06:58.997Z
2017-09-05T21:17:03.863Z
2017-09-05T21:17:03.863Z
Nick ODell
<p>I am trying to follow the instructions in the following post:
<a href="https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/46245/check-status-of-daemon">Check status of daemon</a></p>

<p>When I try to run bitcoin-cli getblockchaininfo I get the following error:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/hmjPJ.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/hmjPJ.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>When I look for the configuration file. It looks like it is not even there.</p>

<p>I am on Windows.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-04T20:30:57.507Z
Is bitcoind running?
Nick ODell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-05T11:43:21.103Z
This was the problem. I had to start the daemon with `bitcoind` first, and then open a new cmd prompt to run `bitcoin-cli get bloackchaininfo`. Please put this as the answer so I can accept it.
ADH
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-13T18:33:52.727Z
it's "getblockchaininfo" not get blockchaininfo
Taha
<bitcoind><windows><bitcoin-cli>
Could not locate RPC credentials Error
ADH
# Could not locate RPC credentials Error

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-09-04)

I am trying to follow the instructions in the following post:
[Check status of daemon](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/46245/check-status-of-daemon)

When I try to run bitcoin-cli getblockchaininfo I get the following error:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/hmjPJ.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/hmjPJ.png)

When I look for the configuration file. It looks like it is not even there.

I am on Windows.

**Tags:** bitcoind, windows, bitcoin-cli

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Is bitcoind running?  
> **username_0**: This was the problem. I had to start the daemon with `bitcoind` first, and then open a new cmd prompt to run `bitcoin-cli get bloackchaininfo`. Please put this as the answer so I can accept it.  
> **username_2**: it's "getblockchaininfo" not get blockchaininfo  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-09-05. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

You're getting this error because bitcoind isn't running. Once it is, it will create an authentication cookie, and bitcoin-cli will be able to connect.

To start bitcoind from cmd prompt, type:

```
cd C:/Program\ Files/Bitcoin/daemon/

```

Press enter, then type:

```
bitcoind

```

And press enter.


---

