# Mqtt-in - Accessing $SYS/# topics from broker?

**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/mqtt-in-accessing-sys-topics-from-broker/99807
**Category:** General
**Tags:** mqtt-in
**Created:** [29 November 2025 14:48 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/mqtt-in-accessing-sys-topics-from-broker/99807 "2025-11-29T14:48:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)
#### Post date: [29 November 2025 14:48 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/mqtt-in-accessing-sys-topics-from-broker/99807/1 "2025-11-29T14:48:57Z")

</div>

I was sure that previously I've been able to subscribe to `$SYS/#` using the mqtt-in node connected to Mosquitto broker?

However, try as I may, I cannot now make this work? Is this a bug that has crept in or is it something daft I'm doing?

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/a/c/ac23178ccb43cc66cf32feabc4b46ade559df8c1.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)
#### Post date: [29 November 2025 15:08 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/mqtt-in-accessing-sys-topics-from-broker/99807/2 "2025-11-29T15:08:57Z")

</div>

Iirc, in mosquito 2, you need to add appropriate acl. Something like `topic read $SYS/#`

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)
#### Post date: [29 November 2025 15:10 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/mqtt-in-accessing-sys-topics-from-broker/99807/3 "2025-11-29T15:10:32Z")

</div>

> [@Steve-Mcl](#):
>
> acl

Not sure that's it Steve - MQTT Explorer can see that topic but Node-RED cannot. I don't have any specific security on this broker.

* * *

Ah, just thought to try on my live server where the broker as accessible over localhost and you are, of course, correct. That DOES show $SYS. It is only from my dev PC, accessing the broker over the LAN that it doesn't work.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [13 December 2025 15:11 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/mqtt-in-accessing-sys-topics-from-broker/99807/4 "2025-12-13T15:11:08Z")

</div>

This topic was automatically closed 14 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.