ethereum/go-ethereum · error

invalid type

Error message

invalid type

What it means

Error "invalid type" thrown in ethereum/go-ethereum.

Source

Thrown at trie/stacktrie.go:331

		p.children[origIdx] = newLeaf(st.key[diffidx+1:], st.val)
		t.hash(p.children[origIdx], append(path, st.key[:diffidx+1]...))

		newIdx := key[diffidx]
		p.children[newIdx] = newLeaf(key[diffidx+1:], value)

		// Finally, cut off the key part that has been passed
		// over to the children.
		st.key = st.key[:diffidx]
		st.val = nil

	case emptyNode: /* Empty */
		*st = *newLeaf(key, value)

	case hashedNode:
		panic("trying to insert into hash")

	default:
		panic("invalid type")
	}
}

// hash converts st into a 'hashedNode', if possible. Possible outcomes:
//
// 1. The rlp-encoded value was >= 32 bytes:
//   - Then the 32-byte `hash` will be accessible in `st.val`.
//   - And the 'st.type' will be 'hashedNode'
//
// 2. The rlp-encoded value was < 32 bytes
//   - Then the <32 byte rlp-encoded value will be accessible in 'st.val'.
//   - And the 'st.type' will be 'hashedNode' AGAIN
//
// This method also sets 'st.type' to hashedNode, and clears 'st.key'.
func (t *StackTrie) hash(st *stNode, path []byte) {
	var blob []byte // RLP-encoded node blob
	switch st.typ {
	case hashedNode:

View on GitHub (pinned to 6bb0588ad8)

Solutions

1. The stacktrie node encountered an unknown internal type — an internal invariant violation. Ensure the StackTrie is used as intended (sorted, unique keys; no concurrent use) and report a bug if reachable with valid usage.

Example fix

// Defensive panic: unreachable with correct StackTrie usage.
// Verify keys are unique, sorted, and the trie is not shared across goroutines.

When it happens

Trigger: StackTrie insert hitting a node whose type field is not one of the known internal node kinds.

Common situations: Memory corruption, concurrent misuse, or an internal stacktrie bug.

AI-assisted analysis of ethereum/go-ethereum@6bb0588ad8 (2026-08-15). Data as JSON: /api/errors/09b5ec0058a40d93. Report an issue: GitHub.