gRPC 2 UNKNOWN vs 5 NOT_FOUND
Both gRPC 2 (UNKNOWN) and 5 (NOT_FOUND) belong to the gRPC Status Codes category. 2 indicates that an unknown error occurred. This may be returned when a server raises an exception that doesn't map to any known gRPC status code. Meanwhile, 5 means that some requested entity was not found. For example, a file or directory that the RPC was supposed to operate on does not exist.
Description
An unknown error occurred. This may be returned when a server raises an exception that doesn't map to any known gRPC status code.
When You See It
The server threw an unhandled exception or returned an error that gRPC couldn't classify into a more specific status code.
How to Fix
Check the server logs for the underlying exception. Wrap server-side errors with explicit gRPC status codes instead of letting them bubble up as UNKNOWN.
Description
Some requested entity was not found. For example, a file or directory that the RPC was supposed to operate on does not exist.
When You See It
The resource referenced in the request doesn't exist — such as looking up a user by ID that has been deleted or never created.
How to Fix
Verify the resource identifier is correct. Ensure the resource was created before accessing it, or handle the not-found case gracefully in your client.
Key Differences
gRPC 2: An unknown error occurred. This may be returned when a server raises an exception that doesn't map to any known gRPC status code.
gRPC 5: Some requested entity was not found. For example, a file or directory that the RPC was supposed to operate on does not exist.
You encounter 2 when the server threw an unhandled exception or returned an error that gRPC couldn't classify into a more specific status code.
You encounter 5 when the resource referenced in the request doesn't exist — such as looking up a user by ID that has been deleted or never created.
When to Use Which
For 2 (UNKNOWN): Check the server logs for the underlying exception. Wrap server-side errors with explicit gRPC status codes instead of letting them bubble up as UNKNOWN. For 5 (NOT_FOUND): Verify the resource identifier is correct. Ensure the resource was created before accessing it, or handle the not-found case gracefully in your client.