Electrum stuck Sychronizing [Fixed]

[FridaySpecials8]

Hello,

As the title says, my wallet is stuck synchronizing. I was sent some BTC and a new transaction popped up in my history with a check mark, but it says +.0, instead of the actual amount. I received BTC to this account 3 days ago and it worked just fine, so not sure what has changed.

Running 2.9.3 and from what I’ve read, updating to the newest version is clearly what I need to do,
Problem is, I don’t have my seed....

Just wondering if there’s anything I can do to:
1. Synchronize on this wallet
2. Check to see if the transaction went through
3. Recover BTC if I’m unable synchronize/update without the seed

Thank you all for any suggestions and help!

FSpesh

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[HCP]

If you know your wallet password, you should be able to extract the seed from the wallet by simply using the "Wallet -> Seed" menu item.

If your wallet is password protected, it'll prompt for the password, then show you the seed... if it isn't password protected, it'll just show you the seed.

Just wondering if there’s anything I can do to:
1. Synchronize on this wallet

You'll definitely need to upgrade to be able to sync. However, you *should* be able to upgrade without knowing the seed... simply make a backup of your wallet file and then install the latest version. It shouldn't overwrite the file, and the should just open your old wallet file for you.

2. Check to see if the transaction went through

Check the address on a block explorer (like blockchain.com or blockcypher)

3. Recover BTC if I’m unable synchronize/update without the seed

As mentioned, upgrading shouldn't wipe your wallet (make a backup anyway)... however, if all else fails you should be able to extract your private keys (as long as you know the wallet password)... and you can then import/sweep them into a different wallet.


In any case, I'd recommend that if, for whatever reason, you are unable to recover your seed, that you move those coins to a new Electrum wallet ASAP. That seed is your guaranteed recovery tool! Without it, you're asking for a world of hurt if your wallet file becomes inaccessible for whatever reason (harddrive failure, accidental deletion, file corruption etc)

[FridaySpecials8]

I do know the password, but when I click on “Wallet”, the seed portion is unclickable. I think that might be because I have 2FA, but I’m not sure. I’m not the most knowledgeable on this stuff.

Edit. Sorry I only saw part 1 on your post for some reason. Thank you for the help, I will try out all of your advice.

[HCP]

Ahhhh OK... you have 2FA... yeah, that IS a problem... it doesn't store the full seed (as that recovers 2 of the 3 private keys in a 2FA wallet). You should still be able to upgrade OK without the seed. But I highly recommend that you move the coins to a new wallet where you DO have access to the seed ASAP.

So, I would recommend:

1. Make a backup or two of your wallet file (refer here for location: http://docs.electrum.org/en/latest/faq.html#where-is-my-wallet-file-located)
2. Update to latest version from here: https://electrum.org/#download
3. Sync your wallet
4. Create a new wallet (standard or 2FA is your choice) with a seed... WRITE THE SEED DOWN (and keep it safe! )
5. Move all your coins to new wallet

[FridaySpecials8]

So I made a backup but then when I was trying to update to the latest version, I received an error or 2.

 - Electrum-3.3.4.exe - System Error
   This program can't start because api-ms-win-crt-math-[1-1-0.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem

Another box popped up
 - Fatal error detected
   Error loading Python DLL 'C:\Program Files(x86)\Electrum\python36.dll'. LoadLibrary: The specified module could not be found

I remember this happening last time when I updated from 2.7 to 3.someting and someone advised me to go back to 2.9.3 which has worked for me for the past 8 or so months.

[FridaySpecials8]

Nevermind, sorted that part out!

[HCP]

Another box popped up
 - Fatal error detected
   Error loading Python DLL 'C:\Program Files(x86)\Electrum\python36.dll'. LoadLibrary: The specified module could not be found

I remember this happening last time when I updated from 2.7 to 3.someting and someone advised me to go back to 2.9.3 which has worked for me for the past 8 or so months.

That is trying to run on Windows 7 right?

Nevermind, sorted that part out!

I assume you just installed the Universal C Runtime stuff to fix that? Did you manage to get 3.3.4 running then?

[FridaySpecials8]

Yes,

Thank you HCP,
I installed the Universal Runtime stuff and instantly 3.3.4 was able to install.
From there I was able to connect to my wallet, receive the coins, and then create a new wallet with a new seed.

I tried to message this a couple times but it was saying I had messaged too many times in too short a period, even after the 360 seconds....

Either way, thank you for your help, it worked perfectly.