How do I switch pools in XMRig?

To switch pools in XMRig, stop the miner, replace the old pool’s connection details with the new pool’s details, and restart it. You can make this change in config.json or in your startup command, depending on how you run XMRig.

Get the new pool’s connection details

Before editing anything, find the new pool’s official setup instructions. You need:

• Pool address and port: The server name and connection number, usually written as pool.example:443.
• Your Monero wallet address: The address where you want to receive payouts.
• Password or worker settings: Some pools use x as the password. Others use this field for a worker name, which labels your mining device.
• TLS setting: TLS encrypts the connection between your miner and the pool. Your setting must match the pool’s chosen port.

Check the minimum payout and pool fee too. A successful connection does not mean the pool will pay you immediately.

A pool needs your public wallet address, never your wallet’s seed phrase or private keys. Treat any request for those secrets as a scam.

Change the pool in config.json

Stop XMRig first. If it runs in a terminal, press Ctrl+C. Then make a backup copy of the configuration file you actually use.

Open config.json in a plain-text editor and find the "pools" list. A typical replacement entry looks like this:

"pools": [
  {
    "coin": "monero",
    "url": "pool.example:443",
    "user": "YOUR_MONERO_WALLET_ADDRESS",
    "pass": "x",
    "enabled": true,
    "tls": true
  }
]

This is a section of the configuration, not a complete configuration file. Replace the example server and wallet address with your real details. Set "tls" and "pass" according to the new pool’s instructions.

Keep the rest of your working configuration, including your processor settings. Make sure commas, quotation marks, and brackets remain valid.

If you have several pool entries, put the new pool first. Remove or disable the old one if you do not want XMRig to reconnect to it as a backup.

Save the file, then restart XMRig using the same configuration.

If you start XMRig with a command

You might set your pool in a startup command or script instead of editing the configuration. In that case, change those startup options:

xmrig -o pool.example:443 -u YOUR_MONERO_WALLET_ADDRESS -p x --coin monero --tls

Here, -o sets the pool server, -u sets your wallet address, and -p supplies the pool’s password field. Use --tls only with a port that supports TLS.

If your startup command still names the old pool, editing a different configuration file may not accomplish the switch. Check your shortcut, script, or background-service settings.

Confirm the switch and check your old balance

Watch XMRig’s output after restarting. Look for:

• The new pool’s server address.
• Incoming mining jobs.
• Accepted shares: Pieces of work the pool accepts as proof of your mining contribution.

Check the new pool’s dashboard using your wallet address. Its statistics may take a few minutes to appear.

Your unpaid balance at the old pool does not transfer. Check its payout threshold and inactive-account rules to see whether and when you can receive it.

The bottom line

Update the pool details wherever you launch XMRig, restart, and confirm accepted shares from the new server. Keep track of any unpaid balance at your old pool separately.