![\"Ledger](\"https:\/\/lwallet.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/blog-ledger-bootloader-mode-guide-11-08-2026-content-pic2-1024x573.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nIf your Ledger displays Bootloader, Update mode, or remains in a service mode after restarting, that alone does not mean your crypto is gone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Your coins and tokens are not stored inside the Ledger device. They remain on their respective blockchains. The device protects the private keys that allow you to control those assets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The most important thing in this situation is having a reliable backup of your Secret Recovery Phrase. We cover this in more detail in our guide on how to store a seed phrase safely<\/a>. As long as your recovery phrase is secure, you can restore your wallet even if the original device stops working completely.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n On classic Ledger Nano devices, sensitive cryptographic data is protected by the Secure Element. Your private keys and Secret Recovery Phrase remain protected inside this chip, while a separate microcontroller handles peripherals and communication between device components.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Entering Bootloader mode during an update does not give your computer access to the seed phrase or PIN. It is a service mode used as part of the firmware update process.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n [vc_message color=”warning” message_box_style=”classic” message_box_color=”alert-warning” style=”rounded”]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A failed or interrupted update is not a reason to enter your Secret Recovery Phrase on a computer, website, or third-party app. During a normal Ledger recovery, the recovery phrase is entered directly on a compatible hardware device.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n [\/vc_message]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A device stuck during an update creates an ideal situation for scammers: you are worried, looking for an urgent fix, and may be more willing to follow instructions from someone claiming to be support.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Ledger does not provide technical support by phone. If someone in Google Search, Telegram, Discord, X, or another platform offers to \u201crecover your Ledger\u201d over the phone, through remote access to your computer, or by asking you to enter your 24 words on a website, that is not an official recovery procedure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n [vc_message color=”warning” message_box_style=”classic” message_box_color=”alert-warning” style=”rounded”]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If your Ledger is simply stuck in Bootloader or Update mode, there is no need to rush. Giving your seed phrase to a scammer is far more dangerous than leaving the device switched off until you have time to troubleshoot the problem carefully.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n [\/vc_message]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Before starting Repair \u2014 and especially before resetting the device \u2014 rule out the simplest causes. The problem is often related to the USB connection or your computer rather than the Ledger itself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Not every USB-C cable supports data transfer. Some cables are designed for charging only. If possible, use the cable supplied with your Ledger or another cable that you know can transfer data.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For troubleshooting and recovery, connect the device directly to a USB port on your computer. Avoid USB hubs, docks, adapters, and USB ports built into monitors where possible.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Install the latest version of Ledger Wallet and restart the application completely. An outdated version may not work correctly with a newer Ledger OS release or the current recovery process.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Close any other software that may be trying to access a hardware wallet over USB, such as Sparrow, Electrum, MetaMask, or similar applications. On Windows, make sure they are not still running in the background.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Charge your Ledger Nano X, Flex, Stax, or Nano Gen5 before trying the update again. A deeply discharged battery adds another possible point of failure to a process that should not be interrupted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The Ledger Nano X has a 100 mAh battery. If the device has been stored unused for a long time, Ledger recommends charging it periodically.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If your Nano X displays an E7 error, let the battery charge properly and follow Ledger’s battery recovery procedure before considering a wallet reset. We also have a separate guide on Ledger Nano X battery and charging problems<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If the cable, USB port, and Ledger Wallet all appear to be working correctly, start with the least disruptive option: restart the device and allow Ledger Wallet to resume the interrupted update.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Disconnect your Ledger Nano S Plus<\/a>, wait a few seconds, and reconnect it directly to your computer. Open Ledger Wallet and go to My Ledger. If the app detects an unfinished update, allow it to continue.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If your Ledger Nano X<\/a> still responds to its buttons, try shutting it down normally through Control Center and then switch it back on. Reconnect the Nano X by cable and open My Ledger.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If Bootloader remains on the screen or the device is still completing a startup process, avoid disconnecting it unnecessarily. In some cases, a service-mode startup can take considerably longer than a normal boot.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The touchscreen models use a different recovery process from the Nano S Plus and Nano X. If one of these devices becomes stuck during an update, start with a normal restart using the power button, connect it to Ledger Wallet Desktop, and try to resume the update.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You may also see Protection Mode on these devices. Do not follow random instructions involving the left button that were written for older Nano models when troubleshooting a Flex, Stax, or Nano Gen5.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n [vc_message color=”warning” message_box_style=”classic” message_box_color=”alert-warning” style=”rounded”]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If Ledger Wallet offers to resume an unfinished update, let the process complete. Do not disconnect the cable or close the application while Ledger OS is being installed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n [\/vc_message]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Cryptocurrency apps installed on the device may be temporarily removed during a Ledger OS update. This does not affect your Secret Recovery Phrase, private keys, or access to your crypto assets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n After a successful update, Ledger Wallet reinstalls the apps automatically. If one of them is not restored because the update was interrupted, you can install it again through My Ledger.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The accounts shown in Ledger Wallet are not the crypto assets themselves either. If necessary, you can add them again and Ledger Wallet will rediscover the addresses derived from the same Secret Recovery Phrase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If restarting the device does not help, move on to the built-in recovery tool in Ledger Wallet. Repair is designed for situations where a firmware update did not complete correctly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Connect the device by cable and open Ledger Wallet Desktop. On Windows, if you are having problems with USB access, try running the application as an administrator.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In the current interface, open the profile menu, go to My Ledger<\/strong>, and wait for the blue Repair<\/strong> button to appear. In some versions, the same tool may also be available under Settings \u2192 Help \u2192 Repair your Ledger device<\/strong>. If your interface looks different, follow Ledger’s official instructions for a device stuck in Update or Bootloader mode<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Then follow the instructions shown in Ledger Wallet. Do not disconnect the device or allow the computer to enter sleep mode while the firmware is being reinstalled.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A factory reset should be the last step. Do not proceed until you have confirmed that you have a usable backup of your wallet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A factory reset removes the private keys, settings, and installed apps from the device. You can restore the same wallet using your Secret Recovery Phrase or, on compatible devices, a Ledger Recovery Key that you configured beforehand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Do not use one universal button combination for every Ledger model. The way you enter a service or recovery mode depends on the specific device and Ledger OS version. If Repair requires a particular mode, follow the instructions displayed by the current version of Ledger Wallet for your device.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n [vc_message color=”warning” message_box_style=”classic” message_box_color=”alert-warning” style=”rounded”]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Before resetting the device, physically locate your Secret Recovery Phrase backup and make sure every word is readable and in the correct order. If you do not have a complete backup or are not confident that it is correct, do not reset the device.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n [\/vc_message]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Do not try to guess a forgotten PIN either. After three incorrect PIN attempts, a Ledger device automatically resets to factory settings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n After resetting the device, choose the option to restore an existing wallet and enter your Secret Recovery Phrase directly on the Ledger. Then install the apps you need and add your accounts back to Ledger Wallet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Your balances are not restored from the memory of the old device. Ledger Wallet scans the relevant blockchains again and finds the addresses derived from the same Secret Recovery Phrase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If the original Ledger has failed completely, a BIP39-compatible recovery phrase can be restored on another compatible hardware wallet. It does not have to be another Ledger of the same model.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n However, default account types and derivation paths can differ between wallet manufacturers. If some of your old addresses do not appear immediately after recovery, that does not necessarily mean your seed phrase is incorrect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n [vc_message color=”warning” message_box_style=”classic” message_box_color=”alert-warning” style=”rounded”]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you used a passphrase, you need both the Secret Recovery Phrase and the exact same passphrase to access the corresponding hidden accounts. Restoring only the standard 24 words will give you access to the standard accounts, but not to accounts derived using the additional passphrase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n [\/vc_message]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The original Ledger Nano S has been discontinued and is no longer part of Ledger’s current device lineup. New versions of some apps and features are no longer available for it, which means its practical compatibility continues to become more limited as blockchains and software evolve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If a Nano S is stuck in Bootloader, it is still worth going through the basic troubleshooting steps and trying the standard Repair process in Ledger Wallet. If the device cannot be recovered, the more practical option is to restore the same wallet from your Secret Recovery Phrase on a current device such as the Ledger Nano S Plus<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Ledger Flex<\/a>, Ledger Stax<\/a>, and Ledger Nano Gen5<\/a> use touchscreen controls and a different device design, so instructions written for the Nano S Plus or Nano X should not automatically be applied to them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If one of these models becomes stuck during a Ledger OS update, the overall approach is the same: charge the device, perform a normal restart, connect it to Ledger Wallet Desktop, and try to recover or resume the update.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Ledger also uses Protection Mode on its touchscreen models. If your device enters this mode, follow the instructions in Ledger Wallet for your specific model rather than old Nano guides based on button combinations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Ledger Nano Gen5, Flex, and Stax support Ledger Recovery Key, a separate NFC card that can hold a protected backup of your Secret Recovery Phrase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you set up a Recovery Key in advance, you can use it as one recovery option with a compatible Ledger device. You should still keep a separate offline copy of your Secret Recovery Phrase: Recovery Key complements your primary backup rather than replacing it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If software recovery does not help, check for signs that the problem may be with the hardware itself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n At that point, repeatedly reinstalling the firmware may no longer be useful. If your recovery phrase is safe, access to your funds does not depend on whether this particular device can be repaired.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhy Bootloader does not mean your seed phrase has been exposed<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Do not search Google for a Ledger Support phone number<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Troubleshooting before you start a repair<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Ledger](\"https:\/\/lwallet.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/blog-ledger-bootloader-mode-guide-11-08-2026-content-pic3-1024x573.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nCheck the cable<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Connect Ledger directly to your computer<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Update Ledger Wallet<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Close other wallet applications<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Check the battery level<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Level 1: restart the device and retry the update<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Ledger Nano S Plus<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Ledger Nano X<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Ledger Flex, Stax, and Nano Gen5<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
What happens to your apps after a Ledger OS update<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Level 2: use Repair in Ledger Wallet<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If Repair does not start<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Level 3: factory reset \u2014 only with a verified backup<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
How to restore your wallet after a reset<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
A special case: the original Ledger Nano S<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Ledger Flex, Stax, and Nano Gen5: do not use old Nano instructions<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Ledger](\"https:\/\/lwallet.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/blog-ledger-bootloader-mode-guide-11-08-2026-content-pic4-1024x573.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat you need to know about Ledger Recovery Key<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
When the problem is likely hardware-related<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Warranty and support<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"USB-C](\"https:\/\/lwallet.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/blog-ledger-bootloader-mode-guide-11-08-2026-content-pic5-1024x573.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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