Electrum wallet help

[jwalker9]

I’ve had my bitcoins in a electrum wallet for years and today, after finding some bitcoins somewhere else, I sent it to my old electrum wallet I last used years ago. The issue is that I’m running on the 2.9.0 version, which doesn’t seem to work anymore (by work I mean it allows me to open the wallet and everything and shows the balance from my last update years ago, but doesn’t seem to synchronize any updates), but before realizing this I sent the coins to the address shown on the Receive section of the wallet. The coins have not showed up even though the transaction is confirmed on the blockchain. Did I lose the coins or do I just need to update to a new electrum wallet version to see them? I don’t why it wouldn’t show if I used the exact btc address it provided at the time of sending. Any help is appreciated

[Rath_]

Did I lose the coins or do I just need to update to a new electrum wallet version to see them? I don’t why it wouldn’t show if I used the exact btc address it provided at the time of sending. Any help is appreciated

Download the latest version of Electrum from here and make sure to verify the installer. Old versions are unable to connect to the network; that's probably why you can't see your balance.

[Charles-Tim]

Do not update the electrum from any pop-up ad or something. You need to update to the latest version. 4.0.9. Then import your seed and see if your bitcoin will appear, but definitely it will appear.

[jwalker9]

Did I lose the coins or do I just need to update to a new electrum wallet version to see them? I don’t why it wouldn’t show if I used the exact btc address it provided at the time of sending. Any help is appreciated

Download the latest version of Electrum from here and verify the installer. Old versions are unable to connect to the network; that's probably why you can't see your balance.

Okay but do you think the address I used would still be active and have been able to receive the coins? I’m sure I won’t know for sure until I’m able to download it but just panicking and looking for any type of reassurance as I won’t be able to download until later tonight. Thanks so much for your help btw

[Charles-Tim]

Okay but do you think the address I used would still be active and have been able to receive the coins? I’m sure I won’t know for sure until I’m able to download it but just panicking and looking for any type of reassurance as I won’t be able to download until later tonight. Thanks so much for your help btw

You have the same seed phrase, or private key or wallet file. That means your address is active, all your addresses are active and linked to your seed phrase, or private key. All you need is to never lost your seed phrase or private key to the addresses linked to it and the funds the addresses stored on blockchain will also be able to be accessed by you through seed phrase or private key.

[Rath_]

Okay but do you think the address I used would still be active and have been able to receive the coins?

You can check if that address is a part of your wallet by enabling the console ("View -> Show Console") and typing "ismine("address")" into it. If the console returns true then that address belongs to your wallet and you should be able to see the coins in the "History" tab once you have updated Electrum. You will be also able to receive coins to that address.

[suzanne5223]

But I learn that the Electrum 2.9.0 console works differently from the currently updated wallet and I think the best thing now is for the OP to work on updating her wallet as advised above by first backup the wallet seed phrase physically and secure.

[HCP]

Okay but do you think the address I used would still be active and have been able to receive the coins? I’m sure I won’t know for sure until I’m able to download it but just panicking and looking for any type of reassurance as I won’t be able to download until later tonight. Thanks so much for your help btw

Don't panic... addresses don't "expire" or become "non active" or anything... if you got the address from Electrum, then it's part of your wallet... if you can check that address on a block explorer and the transaction details show, then everything worked as expected.

Remember, wallets are simply a storage mechanism for private keys... they also provide a "window" to the blockchain information relating to transactions involving addresses/keys that your wallet contains. Just because your wallet is "offline" doesn't mean that your coins will disappear etc.

The issue you have is that the old version simply cannot connect to the network for reasons relating to the phishing attack that started at the end of 2018. As such, your wallet's "window" is closed and it can't "see" the latest blockchain data because it cannot connect to any servers and sync that data.

100% you will be able to see the new transaction and updated balance when you update to the latest version of Electrum.... BUT, please... follow Rath_'s advice! Only download from electrum.org and make sure your verify the installer!