If you’re running into the dreaded SIP 400 – Bad Request Error, it might feel like you’re hitting a brick wall. But fear not! This type of error usually indicates that something is off with your SIP request, and it can be fixed pretty easily if you know where to look. Sometimes it’s due to typos, missing information, or formatting issues that cause a SIP server to not understand your request. It’s the server’s way of saying, “Hey, I don’t get this message.” These types of errors are commonly found in VoIP and video conferencing systems.
In this article, we’ll provide you with our detailed guide on how to solve any SIP 400 – Bad Request errors that you’re getting from any SIP-based communication system.
Check Dialing Patterns
Sometimes it’s the simple stuff that trips us up and a small mistake in the number that you’re dialing can cause a SIP 400 error. It could be simple mistakes such as missing a country code, adding extra spaces, or using unsupported characters. You want to make sure that the number is clean and correctly formatted. You also want to double check if you need a prefix for certain numbers such as a +1 for U.S. calls. If you’re using a VoIP app, ensure that it’s following the right dialing rules because a quick review can save you a lot of time and headaches.
Steps:
- Validate Number Formats
Ensure numbers follow the E.164 international standard or your local dialing conventions. Include correct prefixes, such as country or area codes. - Special Characters
Avoid unsupported characters like *, #, or +, unless specifically required by your setup. Ensure they are correctly encoded if used in SIP headers. - PBX Dialing Rules
Cross-check PBX dial plans with your SIP carrier’s requirements to ensure compatibility. Some PBXs require additional rules for handling local, national, or international calls.
Example
For an international call:
- Format: +
- Ensure the PBX can process the + character and convert it to the correct prefix for outbound calls.
Verify SIP Header Information
Think of SIP headers as the “address labels” on your message. If something is off, the SIP server won’t know where to send your message. We highly recommend that you take a moment to review key headers and check to see if they’re formatted correctly. Some key headers that can typically cause malformed or incomplete SIP headers are:
- From: Originating party’s URI
- To: Destination party’s URI
- Contact: URI for response routing
- Call-ID: Unique identifier for the SIP transaction
- CSeq: Sequence number for request identification
Steps:
- Capture Traffic
Use tools like Wireshark or tcpdump to capture SIP packets on your network interface.
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tcpdump -i eth0 -w sip_traffic.pcap port 5060
2. Inspect Headers
Analyze SIP headers to ensure:
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- Proper formatting (e.g., sip:username@domain.com).
- Presence of mandatory headers.
- Absence of unsupported or extraneous headers.
3. Common Issues
Some common issues that you might run into are:
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- Missing Content-Length header.
- Improper Content-Type for SIP message bodies (e.g., SDP payloads).
- Misaligned Via headers causing routing issues.
Tools used to verify SIP header information:
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- Wireshark: Filter by sip to isolate SIP packets.
- SIP Debug Logs: Check logs on SIP servers or PBX systems.
Confirm Device Configuration and Compatibility
Devices can be picky, and a SIP device misconfiguration can lead to transport mismatches, registration failures, or message parsing errors. A misconfigured setting is often the culprit behind a SIP 400 error. You might want to check for things such as your SIP proxy and outbound proxy settings are pointing to the right server. Also, it might be worth making sure that your device firmware is updated. Small tweaks in your configurations can make the difference.
Steps:
- Transport Protocols
Ensure consistent use of transport protocols across devices (UDP, TCP, TLS).
Example: A mismatch (e.g., client uses TCP while server supports only UDP) can block communication. - Firmware Updates
Verify that devices are running the latest firmware. New updates often resolve compatibility issues or known bugs. - SIP Proxy and Registrar Settings
Double-check SIP proxy, registrar server, and port configurations. For example, the default SIP port is 5060 for UDP/TCP and 5061 for TLS. - Authentication and NAT
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- Confirm valid credentials for SIP authentication.
- Use Session Traversal Utilities for NAT (STUN) or Traversal Using Relays around NAT (TURN) to handle NAT-related issues.
Review SIP URI Syntax
SIP URIs must follow a specific format, like sip:username@domain.com. Make sure you’ve got the sip: prefix, the username, and the domain all correct. Watch for typos, extra spaces, or missing parts. A single character out of place can cause the server to throw its hands up and send you a 400 error. Give the URI a close look and you’ll often spot the problem quickly!
Steps:
- Validate URIs
Check From, To, and Contact URIs in the SIP message. Ensure proper formats like sip:username@domain or sip:username@IP:port. - Invalid Characters
Remove any characters not allowed in SIP URIs. Common issues include:- Spaces in URIs.
- Missing user info (e.g., sip:@domain).
- IP-Based URIs
When using an IP address, include the correct port if not using the default SIP port:
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sip:username@192.168.1.1:5060
Example
An improperly formatted URI like sip:user domain instead of sip:user@domain will trigger a SIP 400 error.
Analyze Server Logs
Server logs are like a detective’s notebook, they’re full of clues and are invaluable for identifying specific issues that cause SIP 400 errors! If you can access them, take a look at the logs around the time the error happened. They can tell you if there’s a problem with the request’s format or if authentication failed. Look at the timestamps to match the error to your request. It’s a great way to figure out whether the issue is on your end or the server’s. Some commonly revealed errors are malformed headers, authentication failures, or protocol mismatches.
Steps:
- Access Logs
Locate SIP server logs. Typical locations:- Asterisk: /var/log/asterisk/full
- FreeSWITCH: /var/log/freeswitch.log
- Filter SIP Messages
Use filters to isolate relevant logs for a specific SIP Call-ID or error code. - Compare with Captured Packets
Cross-reference server logs with SIP packet captures to pinpoint discrepancies.
Example
Logs with messages like 400 Bad Request – Invalid Contact Header indicate an incorrectly formatted Contact header.
Tools
- Splunk: For advanced log analysis.
- Custom Scripts: Use regex to parse logs for specific errors.
Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques
If the basics haven’t done the trick, it’s time to bring out the heavy hitters. A great option is SIPp which is a powerful tool that lets you simulate SIP calls. It’s perfect for identifying parsing errors or spotting issues that might not be obvious during regular use. You can also try SIP validators to check for hidden syntax mistakes. Still not sure? Testing with a different device or app can reveal if the issue is isolated from your current setup. These methods might seem a bit technical, but they’re game-changers when it comes to finding those tricky and hidden problems.
Validate SIP Parsing with Test Tools
Use tools like SIPp to simulate SIP calls and identify parsing errors.
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sipp -sf scenario.xml -s 1000 192.168.1.10:5060
Enable Debug Mode on SIP Servers
Increase logging verbosity on your SIP server for detailed debugging:
- Asterisk: core set debug 5
- FreeSWITCH: loglevel 7
Contact Vendor Support
Still stuck? Don’t worry, that’s what vendor support is for! Reach out to your SIP provider or device manufacturer and let them know what’s going on. Share any logs or details about what you’ve already tried. The more info you give, the faster they can help. Sometimes the fix is something they’ve seen before, and they can get you back on track in no time.
Steps
- Gather relevant data, including:
- SIP logs.
- Packet captures.
- Configuration files.
- Open a support ticket with a detailed description of the issue.
- Request updates on known bugs, firmware patches, or additional diagnostics.
Summary
Troubleshooting SIP 400 errors can be frustrating, but with a little patience and methodical checking, you’ll most likely find it’s just a small fix that needs to be done. Resolving SIP 400 errors involves checking dialing patterns and SIP headers for accuracy, ensuring device settings are properly configured for compatibility, and analyzing server logs to uncover the root cause. If the issue persists, reach out to vendor support with detailed diagnostic information for faster resolution.
Take it step by step, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. You’ve got this!
