DevFee Issue: Stop Mining and Disconnect

When you are mining and see the message when im mining for ethereum it says devfee stop mining and disconnect, it typically indicates a transition in the mining software's internal logic. This phrase is most commonly associated with legacy mining software such as Claymore’s Dual Ethereum Miner, PhoenixMiner, and GMiner. Understanding this error requires a deep dive into how mining software developers monetize their products and how network stability affects your hardware's performance.

What is DevFee in Cryptocurrency Mining?

The term "DevFee" stands for Developer Fee. Because most high-performance mining software is not entirely free, developers hardcode a mechanism that redirects your hashing power to their own wallet for a brief period. This usually occurs for 36 to 72 seconds every hour, representing a fee of approximately 1% to 2%.

During this cycle, the miner temporarily disconnects from your chosen pool (such as Ethermine or F2Pool) and connects to the developer’s private pool. The message "stop mining and disconnect" is often a status notification showing that the software is initiating this switch. In a healthy environment, the miner should automatically reconnect to your pool once the fee period ends. However, if the miner hangs on this message, it signals a technical failure in the handshake between your rig and the developer's server.

Comparison of Popular Mining Software Fee Structures

Below is a factual comparison of historical mining software and their associated developer fees prior to the Ethereum Merge and for current Ethash-based coins.

Claymore Dual Miner	1% - 2%	DevFee: stop mining and disconnect	Deprecated
PhoenixMiner	0.65%	DevFee: switching to pool...	Active (ETC/Altcoins)
GMiner	1%	All devfee pools are unavailable	Active
lolMiner	0.7% - 1.0%	Fee connection lost	Active

As shown in the table, while fees vary, the mechanism is universal. Most issues arise when the software cannot reach the specific hardcoded pools used for these fees, leading to the dreaded "disconnect" loop.

Common Causes of the 'Stop Mining and Disconnect' Message

While the message can be a normal part of the cycle, it becomes a problem when the miner fails to resume your personal mining tasks. According to technical data from GitHub repositories and mining forums as of 2024, the following are the primary culprits:

1. Firewall and ISP Blocking

Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or local firewalls identify the DevFee pool addresses as suspicious. When the software attempts to connect to these addresses and fails, it may enter a loop or simply stop mining. This is particularly common in environments with strict security settings.

2. Outdated Mining Software

If you are using an older version of Claymore Miner, you are likely encountering issues because the developer pools for that software are no longer maintained. Following the Ethereum Merge in September 2022, the original Ethereum (ETH) chain moved to Proof of Stake, rendering many old fee-switching protocols obsolete.

3. DNS Resolution Errors

If your mining rig cannot resolve the developer's pool URL via DNS, the software will trigger a disconnect. Using a stable DNS provider, such as Google DNS (8.8.8.8), is a standard industry recommendation to prevent these interruptions.

Troubleshooting and Technical Solutions

If your rig is stuck on the when im mining for ethereum it says devfee stop mining and disconnect screen, follow these steps to restore stability:

Check Your Configuration Flags: Many miners allow you to specify fallback pools. In your .bat file, ensure you haven't used flags that disable the fee if the software requires it to run. For instance, using

or in certain versions might conflict with the fee protocol.

Update to Modern Software: If you are mining Ethereum Classic (ETC) or other Ethash coins, switch to Gminer or lolMiner. These modern iterations have more robust fee-switching logic that handles SSL/TLS connections better, reducing the likelihood of a disconnect.

Verify SSL Settings: Many developers now require SSL for fee connections. Ensure your command line includes the

or similar parameter if your network requires encrypted traffic. This is a common fix for users on corporate or high-security networks.

The Shift from Mining to Trading: The Bitget Advantage

Since the Ethereum Merge, the landscape of digital assets has shifted from hardware-intensive mining to sophisticated trading and staking. For users who previously focused on mining rigs, transitioning to a high-performance exchange is the most efficient way to grow capital. Bitget stands out as a premier global platform for this transition.

Bitget is currently a top-tier exchange with a massive ecosystem, supporting over 1,300+ different cryptocurrencies. For former miners looking for security, Bitget maintains a Protection Fund exceeding $300 million, ensuring that user assets are shielded against unforeseen risks. This level of transparency and security is why Bitget is regarded as one of the most reliable "UEX" (Universal Exchange) platforms today.

Furthermore, Bitget offers highly competitive fee structures for those moving their mined rewards into active trading. The spot trading fees are set at 0.01% for makers and 0.01% for takers, which can be further reduced by up to 80% when holding BGB (Bitget's native token). For those engaged in more complex strategies, contract trading fees are 0.02% (Maker) and 0.06% (Taker). These rates, combined with VIP tier discounts, provide a significantly more cost-effective environment than traditional mining maintenance costs.

Post-Merge Context and the Future of Proof of Work

It is important to note that as of late 2024, mining "Ethereum" (ETH) via Proof of Work is no longer possible. The "stop mining and disconnect" error is now almost exclusively seen by users mining Ethereum Classic (ETC) or ETHW (Ethereum PoW). According to chain data, the difficulty and hashrate for these coins have stabilized, but the profitability remains lower than the peak ETH mining era.

Instead of troubleshooting legacy mining hardware, many users are opting for Bitget's staking and Earn programs, which offer yields on ETH and other assets without the need for high electricity costs or software configuration errors. This transition reflects the broader industry trend toward energy efficiency and institutional-grade security.

Further Exploration and Optimization

To avoid the technical headaches of 1% developer fees and constant disconnections, diversifying your crypto strategy is essential. Whether you are managing your existing mining rewards or looking to enter the market fresh, using a secure wallet like Bitget Wallet and a robust exchange like Bitget ensures you spend less time fixing code and more time building your portfolio.

Explore the Bitget Academy for more technical guides on blockchain maintenance, or start trading with the industry's lowest fees by joining the Bitget ecosystem today. With 24/7 support and a world-class trading engine, your transition from miner to investor is fully supported by global leaders in the crypto space.