### Author:  [@jsx97](https://forum.torproject.org/u/jsx97)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2025, 2:22am UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/1 "2025-01-27T02:22:06Z")
I use command-line Tor to circumvate government censorship (it’s Russia), with Safari on Mac. My `torrc` file is quite simple:
```auto
UseBridges 1
ClientTransportPlugin obfs4 exec /opt/homebrew/bin/obfs4proxy
Bridge obfs4 ...
Bridge obfs4 ...
```
The bridges are obtained using Gmail and sometimes Telegram.
Until recenly, it worked fine. The connection took 10-15 seconds. Sometimes bridges stopped working, but I simply requested new.
Few days ago, for some reason, it stopped working. When I try to connect, I see this:
```auto
[notice] Tor 0.4.8.13 running on Darwin with Libevent 2.1.12-stable, OpenSSL 3.4.0, Zlib 1.2.12, Liblzma N/A, Libzstd N/A and Unknown N/A as libc.
[notice] Tor can't help you if you use it wrong! Learn how to be safe at https://support.torproject.org/faq/staying-anonymous/
[notice] Read configuration file "/opt/homebrew/etc/tor/torrc".
[notice] Opening Socks listener on 127.0.0.1:9050
[notice] Opened Socks listener connection (ready) on 127.0.0.1:9050
[warn] Cannot find maximum file descriptor, assuming: 256
[notice] Parsing GEOIP IPv4 file /opt/homebrew/Cellar/tor/0.4.8.13/share/tor/geoip.
[notice] Parsing GEOIP IPv6 file /opt/homebrew/Cellar/tor/0.4.8.13/share/tor/geoip6.
[notice] Bootstrapped 0% (starting): Starting
[notice] Starting with guard context "bridges"
[notice] Delaying directory fetches: No running bridges
```
And then:
`
```auto
[notice] Application request when we haven't used client functionality lately. Optimistically trying known bridges again.
[notice] Application request when we haven't used client functionality lately. Optimistically trying known bridges again.
[notice] Application request when we haven't used client functionality lately. Optimistically trying known bridges again.
[notice] Bootstrapped 1% (conn_pt): Connecting to pluggable transport
[notice] Bootstrapped 2% (conn_done_pt): Connected to pluggable transport
```
or sometimes:
```auto
[notice] Bridge 'SKIPPED' has both an IPv4 and an IPv6 address. Will prefer using its IPv4 address (SKIPPED) based on the configured Bridge address.
[notice] new bridge descriptor 'SKIPPED' (cached): SKIPPED
[notice] Bridge 'Sr2Bridge3209' has both an IPv4 and an IPv6 address. Will prefer using its IPv4 address (SKIPPED) based on the configured Bridge address.
[notice] Bridge 'SKIPPED' has both an IPv4 and an IPv6 address. Will prefer using its IPv4 address (SKIPPED) based on the configured Bridge address.
[notice] new bridge descriptor 'SKIPPED' (cached): SKIPPED
[notice] Bridge 'Sr2Bridge3209' has both an IPv4 and an IPv6 address. Will prefer using its IPv4 address (SKIPPED) based on the configured Bridge address.
```
And then:
```auto
Jan 27 04:17:56.000 [notice] Bootstrapped 1% (conn_pt): Connecting to pluggable transport
Jan 27 04:17:56.000 [notice] Bootstrapped 2% (conn_done_pt): Connected to pluggable transport
```
Then I have to wait for about 30 seconds and then I see this:
```auto
[warn] Proxy Client: unable to connect OR connection (handshaking (proxy)) with SKIPPED ("general SOCKS server failure")
[warn] Proxy Client: unable to connect OR connection (handshaking (proxy)) with SKIPPED ("general SOCKS server failure")
[notice] Delaying directory fetches: No running bridges
```
Could anybody explain what exactly happened and how to fix it?
---
### Author:  [@nina13](https://forum.torproject.org/u/nina13)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2025, 2:23pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/2 "2025-01-27T14:23:18Z")
Hi!
What type of internet connection do you use? Mobile or residential?
Have you tried webtunnel bridges?
---
### Author:  [@jsx97](https://forum.torproject.org/u/jsx97)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2025, 2:58pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/3 "2025-01-27T14:58:12Z")
> What type of internet connection do you use? Mobile or residential?
I use my laptop at home, it is wirelessly connected to a Wi-Fi router.
> Have you tried webtunnel bridges?
Not yet. How can obtain them? When I receive a mail from Tor bridges service, it doesn’t seem to mention webtunner:
```none
get bridges (Request default Tor bridges.)
get ipv6 (Request IPv6 bridges.)
get transport obfs4 (Request obfs4 obfuscated bridges.)
get vanilla (Request unobfuscated Tor bridges.)
```
---
### Author:  [@jsx97](https://forum.torproject.org/u/jsx97)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2025, 2:58pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/4 "2025-01-27T14:58:18Z")
> The requirements for deploying a WebTunnel bridge are:
>
> 1. A static IPv4 (preferably);
> 2. The ability to expose TCP ports to the Internet (make sure that NAT doesn’t get in the way);
> 3. A self-hosted website, including a configurable web server (such as NGINX or Apache) and a domain under your control;
> 4. A valid TLS certificate.
The 3rd step will be a lot of hassle for me. Maybe there are easier solutions?
---
### Author:  [@nina13](https://forum.torproject.org/u/nina13)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/5 "2025-01-27T15:07:41Z")
No need to deploy bridges, you can get them form our website:
> **[The Tor Project | Privacy & Freedom Online](https://bridges.torproject.org/bridges?transport=webtunnel)**
>
> Defend yourself against tracking and surveillance. Circumvent censorship.
If it is not reachable, please contact us on our support channels [@TorProjectSupportBot](https://t.me/TorProjectSupportBot) or [frontdesk@torproject.org](mailto:frontdesk@torproject.org)
---
### Author:  [@jsx97](https://forum.torproject.org/u/jsx97)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2025, 3:52pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/6 "2025-01-27T15:52:09Z")
Thanks. So my torrc now like:
```auto
UseBridges 1
Bridge webtunnel ...
Bridge webtunne l...
```
I tried it, but there was an error:
> [warn] Can’t use bridge at [scrubbed]: there is no configured transport called “webtunnel”.
Then I did a small research and according to [this](https://forum.torproject.org/t/error-with-the-tor-cli-client/15502) thread, after `UseBrdiges 1` I need to add
> `#ClientTransportPlugin meek_lite,obfs4,scramblesuit,webtunnel exec `
- First question: Am I correct?
- Second question: According to the mentioned thread, the lyrebird binary in Tor Browser is located in `Browser/TorBrowser/Tor/PluggableTransports/`. But I don’t have Tor browser installed. I checked `/opt/homebrew/bin` and there is no `lyrebird` file there. Then I tried `brew install lyrebird`, but brew responded that there is no such package wich such a name availabe. Do I need it install Tor browser then?
---
### Author:  [@nina13](https://forum.torproject.org/u/nina13)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2025, 3:59pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/7 "2025-01-27T15:59:12Z")
> First question: Am I correct?
yes!
> Second question:
Transports are included in the Tor Expert Bundle: [Tor Project | Download Tor](https://www.torproject.org/download/tor/)
---
### Author:  [@jsx97](https://forum.torproject.org/u/jsx97)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/8 "2025-01-27T17:27:24Z")
I installed Tor browser and updated `torrc`. My new `torrc`:
```auto
UseBridges 1
ClientTransportPlugin meek_lite,obfs4,scramblesuit,webtunnel exec "/Applications/Tor Browser.app/Contents/MacOS/Tor/PluggableTransports/lyrebird"
Bridge webtunnel ...
Bridge webtunnel ...
```
When I try to connect, there are the following messages:
```auto
[notice] Bootstrapped 0% (starting): Starting
[notice] Starting with guard context "bridges"
[notice] Delaying directory fetches: No running bridges
```
What does it mean? What should I do next?
---
### Author:  [@nina13](https://forum.torproject.org/u/nina13)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2025, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/9 "2025-01-27T18:11:33Z")
Can you please check if the path to the lyrebird file is correct? It looks like you use Tor Browser but you mentioned you didn’t have one.
This path
```auto
/Applications/Tor Browser.app/Contents/MacOS/Tor/PluggableTransports/lyrebird"
```
should lead to the lyrebird file on your PC
---
### Author:  [@jsx97](https://forum.torproject.org/u/jsx97)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2025, 7:02pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/10 "2025-01-27T19:02:25Z")
Yes, I installed Tor browser, and the `lyrebird` file is there.
Once I tried to open it Finder, it first showed me a security window with text like “We don’t trust this file so you cannot open it”. But then I opened it using Control-click and now each time I open it in Finder in regular way, it opens successfully:
---
### Author:  [@jsx97](https://forum.torproject.org/u/jsx97)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2025, 6:53am UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/12 "2025-01-28T06:53:16Z")
It’s worth to add that Tor blocked in Russia.
Also, [there is a mention here on the forum[([Call for Testers: WebTunnel, a new way to bypass censorship with Tor Browser - #8 by ValdikSS](https://forum.torproject.org/t/call-for-testers-webtunnel-a-new-way-to-bypass-censorship-with-tor-browser/9855/8)), that many WebTunnel bridges are hosted on Cloudflare. Cloidflare is aslo blocked in Russia.
---
### Author:  [@nina13](https://forum.torproject.org/u/nina13)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2025, 11:56am UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/13 "2025-01-28T11:56:15Z")
can you please share your torrc file conent?
---
### Author:  [@gus](https://forum.torproject.org/u/gus)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2025, 12:23pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/14 "2025-01-28T12:23:27Z")
Please see the latest update about censorship Russia and WebTunnel: [Tor in Russia: A call for more WebTunnel bridges | The Tor Project](https://blog.torproject.org/call-for-webtunnel-bridges/)
---
### Author:  [@jsx97](https://forum.torproject.org/u/jsx97)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2025, 12:24pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/15 "2025-01-28T12:24:26Z")
(Edit: At the moment I posted this, I hadn’t yet read the article @gus pointed out.)
Here it is:
```auto
UseBridges 1
ClientTransportPlugin meek_lite,obfs4,scramblesuit,webtunnel exec "/Applications/Tor Browser.app/Contents/MacOS/Tor/PluggableTransports/lyrebird"
Bridge webtunnel [2001:db8:2ce3:75bd:2da:f69f:d97a:7874]:443 CFB5DD5A5CC4AAB0435C1C5B27D46C0E2AB54C6E url=https:// ver=0.0.1
Bridge webtunnel [2001:db8:2b58:9764:2fcf:67a0:1d1d:b622]:443 9255D4ADB05B7F8792E49779E4DF382BF7B2BE01 url=https:// ver=0.0.1
```
I asked ChatGPT why it doesn’t work and it suggested to enable SOCKS proxy at port 1080. I tried it, but it didn’t help.
I also asked ChatGPT which is better to bybass censorship in Russia, obfs4 or webtunnel, and it replied obfs is more reliable:
> **WebTunnel:**
>
> Pros:
>
> - Works as a VPN tunnel, which encrypts all traffic.
> - Uses HTTPS tunneling, making it harder to detect and block.
> - Can be combined with Tor for better anonymity.
> - Often faster than obfs4 due to direct proxy connections.
>
> Cons:
>
> - Depends on WebTunnel’s servers, which might be blocked in Russia.
> - Not as stealthy as obfs4 against advanced Deep Packet Inspection (DPI).
> - If WebTunnel servers are slow or overloaded, Tor may not work properly.
>
> **obfs4** :
>
> Pros:
>
> - Designed specifically to bypass DPI censorship.
> - More decentralized—anyone can run a bridge, making blocking harder.
> - More resistant to detection than VPNs or simple proxies.
>
> Cons:
>
> - Slower than WebTunnel since it routes through Tor’s obfuscation layer.
> - Bridges can get blocked, requiring frequent updates.
I don’t know why obfs4 didn’t work for me for several days. Now it works again, here is current torrc:
```auto
UseBridges 1
ClientTransportPlugin obfs4 exec /opt/homebrew/bin/obfs4proxy
Bridge obfs4 ...
Bridge obfs4 ...
```
If ChatGPT’s answer is correct, then, given that (1) _WebTunnel Depends on WebTunnel’s servers, which might be blocked in Russia_ and (2) _not as stealthy as obfs4 against advanced Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)_, I don’t really understand why it was suggested to try it in the first place. Seems to be we tried a completely wrong direction, isn’t it?
---
### Author:  [@jsx97](https://forum.torproject.org/u/jsx97)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2025, 12:58pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/16 "2025-01-28T12:58:09Z")
Hello, thanks. I did read it. But are the following WebTunnel cons described by ChatGPT correct?
- Depends on WebTunnel’s servers, which might be blocked in Russia.
- Not as stealthy as obfs4 against advanced Deep Packet Inspection (DPI).
Or this is wrong? And if this is wrong, what might be a reason that WebTunnel doesn’t work for me? Maybe there are not enough WebTunnel bridges yet? But there are at least 125 of them (according to your Dec-11 comment), so it seems it should work somehow… Whereas what I see is simply this:
```auto
[notice] Bootstrapped 0% (starting): Starting
[notice] Starting with guard context "bridges"
[notice] Delaying directory fetches: No running bridges
```
---
### Author:  [@gus](https://forum.torproject.org/u/gus)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2025, 1:34pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/17 "2025-01-28T13:34:58Z")
ChatGPT is not a good resource to troubleshoot censorship circumvention tools. Sometimes it provides completely non-sense answers like the stuff you just pasted, for example:“it suggested to enable SOCKS proxy at port 1080”.
> [@jsx97](#):
>
> But are the following WebTunnel cons described by ChatGPT correct?
>
> - Depends on WebTunnel’s servers, which might be blocked in Russia.
Well, this is true for the majority of anti-censorship tech.
---
### Author:  [@jsx97](https://forum.torproject.org/u/jsx97)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/18 "2025-01-28T14:06:58Z")
And what about the second point?
> WebTunnel is not as stealthy as obfs4 against advanced Deep Packet Inspection (DPI).
And the most important part of my question. What might be a reason, in your opinion, that WebTunnel didn’t work for me? Do you (or maybe other people here) have information about whether WebTunnel really works in Russia currently?
---
### Author:  [@gus](https://forum.torproject.org/u/gus)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2025, 2:27pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/19 "2025-01-28T14:27:55Z")
The linked blog post focus on how certain mobile ISPs in Russia are blocking **obfs4** … You can find more about it here: [[Russia] Investigate obsf4 blocking by protocol in mobile 4G in some ISPs (#40050) · Issues · The Tor Project / Anti-censorship / censorship-analysis · GitLab](https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/anti-censorship/censorship-analysis/-/issues/40050).
I believe WebTunnel didn’t work for you for other reasons. Please try another one.
> [@jsx97](#):
>
> Do you (or maybe other people here) have information about whether WebTunnel really works in Russia currently?
Yes, users in Russia are reporting that works.
---
### Author:  [@jsx97](https://forum.torproject.org/u/jsx97)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/20 "2025-01-28T15:11:02Z")
Is my WebTunnel torrc that I posted above correct?
```none
UseBridges 1
ClientTransportPlugin meek_lite,obfs4,scramblesuit,webtunnel exec "/Applications/Tor Browser.app/Contents/MacOS/Tor/PluggableTransports/lyrebird"
Bridge webtunnel [2001:db8:2ce3:75bd:2da:f69f:d97a:7874]:443 CFB5DD5A5CC4AAB0435C1C5B27D46C0E2AB54C6E url=https:// ver=0.0.1
Bridge webtunnel [2001:db8:2b58:9764:2fcf:67a0:1d1d:b622]:443 9255D4ADB05B7F8792E49779E4DF382BF7B2BE01 url=https:// ver=0.0.1
```
What might be a reason that it doesn’t work? Maybe I should enable/disable a proxy, use specific port, somehow adjust `lyrebird` executable ownership/permissions …?
---
### Author:  [@gus](https://forum.torproject.org/u/gus)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085/21 "2025-01-28T15:12:12Z")
Let’s follow up via the Tor Project Telegram support channel.
[Next page](https://forum.torproject.org/t/command-line-tor-stopped-working-requesting-new-bridges-doesnt-help/17085.md?page=2)