Node Studio Dashboard Guide for NEW NEAR Validators
This guide provides useful recommendations for Node Runners to properly monitor and maintain their validator node using the Node Studio Dashboard.
1. Regular Dashboard Checks
Make it a habit to review your dashboard periodically.
Check if there are new updates available for both NEAR and your operating system.
Keeping your validator updated ensures smooth participation in the network.
2. Disk Capacity Monitoring
Validator nodes constantly write chain data to disk. Depending on the VPS plan, you will usually have 80–160 GB of storage available.
If your disk is getting full, use the Delete NEAR Chain Data button located in the Actions section of Node Studio.
This will erase the stored chain data and re-sync the node with the network.
The resync process typically takes 25–35 minutes.
If synchronization takes significantly longer, please contact the Meta Pool team for support.
3. Log Monitoring
Logs allow you to verify that your validator is running correctly.
Normal logs will show routine validator activity.
If you notice frequent errors or warnings that seem to affect validator operation, reach out to the Meta Pool team for assistance.
4. Validator Performance Control
This section of the dashboard includes three key metrics:
Blocks Produced
Chunks Produced
Endorsements Produced
Blocks and Chunks
For most Node Studio validators:
It is normal to see 0/0 in Blocks and Chunks Produced.
Only the Top 100 validators by stake on the NEAR network produce blocks and chunks.
As an example, these are validators with more than ~800,000 NEAR staked.
Endorsements
Endorsements are where Node Studio validators are actively contributing to the network.
This is the most important metric to monitor constantly.
With Node Studio hardware, normal endorsement performance should remain above 97%.
Node Runners must ensure this percentage never drops below 70%.
If a validator finishes an epoch with endorsement performance under 70%, it will be kicked out of the network.
5. Understanding and Viewing Validator Rewards
How Rewards Work
When you run a validator, you are providing a validation service to the NEAR network. In return for this service, NEAR generates new NEAR tokens used as rewards for users who delegate their NEAR to validators.
Validators charge a commission fee to those delegators. This is called Fee Rewards.
The maximum fee allowed by the Node Studio program is 7%.
Your rewards depend on:
Total Stake – the total amount of NEAR delegated to your validator.
APY – the annual yield of the network (see official NEAR docs on APY calculation).
Fee% – the commission you set (up to 7%).
Formula (annualized):
FeeRewards = TotalStake * APY * Fee%
Reward Distribution (Epochs)
Rewards are distributed at the end of every epoch.
An epoch on the NEAR blockchain is a fixed cycle of time used to organize validator activity and distribute rewards:
Each epoch lasts approximately 7.3 hours.
At the end of each epoch, rewards (Fee Rewards) are calculated and automatically credited to the wallet address used when deploying your validator’s staking contract.
These rewards are then auto-staked (compounded) in your validator contract.
How to Unstake Your Rewards
To withdraw your rewards, follow these steps:
Log in to your NEAR wallet.
Go to the Staking section.
Review your staking positions and locate the rewards auto-staked (compounded) in your validator.
Select the amount you want to unstake.
Confirm the Unstake transaction.
Once the unstake is complete, go back to the same section and click Withdraw.
Your NEAR tokens will then appear in your wallet balance.
Troubleshooting Visibility Issues
If you cannot see your staking position (the auto-staked rewards) in your wallet:
Stake a small fraction of NEAR (<0.1) into your validator from that same wallet.
This will refresh the view and allow your staking position (including rewards) to appear, so you can proceed with unstake and withdraw actions.
✅ Key Takeaways for Node Runners
Check your dashboard regularly for updates.
Monitor disk usage and free up space when necessary.
Review logs and contact support if you see unusual errors or warnings.
Focus on endorsement performance → keep it above 95%, never below 70%.
Understand how Fee Rewards are calculated, and know how to unstake and withdraw them when needed.
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