Hey everyone! I’m having trouble getting n8n up and running. When I try to start it with Docker Compose, I keep running into YAML parsing errors. The error message mentions duplicate keys like ‘image’, ‘restart’, ‘ports’, and ‘volumes’. I’m not sure what’s causing this or how to fix it. Has anyone else encountered similar issues? Any tips on how to resolve these YAML errors would be really helpful. I’m pretty new to this, so I’d appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance for your help!
yo, had the same problem. check ur indentation in the yaml file - that’s usually the culprit. also, make sure u don’t have any duplicate entries for stuff like ports or volumes. sometimes copy/paste can mess things up. if ur still stuck, try using an online yaml validator. it’s a lifesaver for catching those annoying syntax errors!
I’ve encountered similar YAML parsing issues with n8n setup. One often overlooked cause is hidden characters in the file. Try opening your docker-compose.yml in a plain text editor and re-saving it. This can eliminate any invisible formatting characters that might be causing problems.
Another thing to check is your file encoding. Ensure it’s saved as UTF-8 without BOM (Byte Order Mark). Some editors add this by default, which can lead to parsing errors.
If you’re using environment variables in your YAML, double-check that they’re properly defined and accessible. Undefined variables can sometimes cause unexpected parsing issues.
Lastly, consider using a linter specific to Docker Compose files. These tools can catch issues that general YAML validators might miss, especially related to Docker-specific syntax and structure.
I’ve faced similar YAML parsing issues when setting up n8n with Docker Compose. From my experience, these errors often stem from indentation problems or unintentional duplication of configuration blocks. Here’s what worked for me:
First, I carefully reviewed my docker-compose.yml file, paying close attention to indentation. YAML is very sensitive to spaces, so I made sure each nested level was consistently indented.
Next, I checked for any accidental duplication of service definitions. Sometimes, copy-pasting can lead to duplicate entries for things like ‘image’ or ‘ports’.
I also found it helpful to use a YAML validator tool online. These can quickly spot syntax errors that might be hard to catch by eye.
Lastly, I simplified my compose file to bare essentials and gradually added back components, testing at each step. This helped isolate the problematic section.
If you’re still stuck, sharing your docker-compose.yml (with sensitive info removed) might help others spot the issue more easily.