Debugging Websocket Issues

---
name: debugging-websocket-issues
description: Use when seeing WebSocket errors like "Invalid frame header", "RSV1 must be clear", or "WS_ERR_UNEXPECTED_RSV_1" - covers multiple WebSocketServer conflicts, compression issues, and raw frame debugging techniques
tags: websocket, debugging, ws, node
---

# Debugging WebSocket Issues

## Overview

WebSocket "invalid frame header" errors often stem from raw HTTP being written to an upgraded socket, not actual frame corruption. The most common cause is multiple `WebSocketServer` instances conflicting on the same HTTP server.

## When to Use

- Error: `Invalid WebSocket frame: RSV1 must be clear`
- Error: `WS_ERR_UNEXPECTED_RSV_1`
- Error: `Invalid frame header`
- WebSocket connects then immediately disconnects with code 1006
- Server logs success but client receives garbage data

## Quick Reference

| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---------|--------------|-----|
| RSV1 must be clear | Multiple WSS on same server OR compression mismatch | Use `noServer: true` mode |
| Hex starts with `48545450` | Raw HTTP on WebSocket (0x48='H') | Check for conflicting upgrade handlers |
| Code 1006, no reason | Abnormal closure, often server-side abort | Check `abortHandshake` calls |
| Works isolated, fails in app | Something else writing to socket | Audit all upgrade listeners |

## The Multiple WebSocketServer Bug

### Problem

When attaching multiple `WebSocketServer` instances to the same HTTP server using the `server` option:

```typescript
// ❌ BAD - Both servers add upgrade listeners, causing conflicts
const wss1 = new WebSocketServer({ server, path: '/ws' });
const wss2 = new WebSocketServer({ server, path: '/ws/other' });
```

**What happens:**
1. Client connects to `/ws`
2. BOTH upgrade handlers fire (Node.js EventEmitter calls all listeners)
3. `wss1` matches path, handles upgrade successfully
4. `wss2` doesn't match, calls `abortHandshake(socket, 400)`
5. Raw `HTTP/1.1 400 Bad Request` written to the now-WebSocket socket
6. Client receives HTTP text as WebSocket frame data
7. First byte `0x48` ('H') interpreted as: RSV1=1, opcode=8 → invalid frame

### Solution

Use `noServer: true` and manually route upgrades:

```typescript
// ✅ GOOD - Single upgrade handler routes to correct server
const wss1 = new WebSocketServer({ noServer: true, perMessageDeflate: false });
const wss2 = new WebSocketServer({ noServer: true, perMessageDeflate: false });

server.on('upgrade', (request, socket, head) => {
  const pathname = new URL(request.url || '', `http://${request.headers.host}`).pathname;

  if (pathname === '/ws') {
    wss1.handleUpgrade(request, socket, head, (ws) => {
      wss1.emit('connection', ws, request);
    });
  } else if (pathname === '/ws/other') {
    wss2.handleUpgrade(request, socket, head, (ws) => {
      wss2.emit('connection', ws, request);
    });
  } else {
    socket.destroy();
  }
});
```

## Debugging Techniques

### Raw Frame Inspection

Hook into the socket to see actual bytes received:

```typescript
ws.on('open', () => {
  const socket = ws._socket;
  const originalPush = socket.push.bind(socket);

  socket.push = function(chunk, encoding) {
    if (chunk) {
      console.log('First 20 bytes (hex):', chunk.slice(0, 20).toString('hex'));
      const byte0 = chunk[0];
      console.log(`FIN: ${!!(byte0 & 0x80)}, RSV1: ${!!(byte0 & 0x40)}, Opcode: ${byte0 & 0x0f}`);

      // Check if it's actually HTTP text
      if (chunk.slice(0, 4).toString() === 'HTTP') {
        console.log('*** RECEIVED RAW HTTP ON WEBSOCKET ***');
      }
    }
    return originalPush(chunk, encoding);
  };
});
```

### Key Hex Patterns

- `81` = FIN + text frame (normal)
- `82` = FIN + binary frame (normal)
- `88` = FIN + close frame (normal)
- `48545450` = "HTTP" - raw HTTP on WebSocket (bug!)
- `c1` or similar with bit 6 set = compressed frame (RSV1=1)

## Common Mistakes

| Mistake | Result | Fix |
|---------|--------|-----|
| Multiple WSS with `server` option | HTTP 400 written to socket | Use `noServer: true` |
| `perMessageDeflate: true` (default in older ws) | RSV1 set on frames | Explicitly set `perMessageDeflate: false` |
| Not checking upgrade headers | Miss compression negotiation | Log `sec-websocket-extensions` header |
| Assuming RSV1 error = compression | Could be raw HTTP | Check if bytes decode as ASCII "HTTP" |

## Verification Checklist

After fixing, verify:
- [ ] `RSV1: false` in frame inspection
- [ ] `Extensions header: NONE` in upgrade response
- [ ] No `HTTP/1.1` in raw frame data
- [ ] Messages received match sent payload size
- [ ] Multiple broadcasts work (test interval sends)