How to access My Ledger Nano S Portfolio?

[Abrasax]

I haven't opened my Ledger Nano S in ages. Last time I remember I had to access it through a browser.

Now it seems that I had to install Ledger Live-software to access the assets. However I can't do anything through this damn Live program.

The portfolio on the left-side-menu is grayed out.

When I try to add an account I get an error message:
Ledger device: invalid parameter received (0x6b00)

I googled that this error is probably caused by having an old firmware. My version is 1.3.1

However I'm not sure If I want to update my firmware because I can't remember where my recovery phrase is. And the software says that I should have it within reach, as  a precaution.

So what was the oldschool way to access the Nano S? Through a browser but how?

[1715561692]

1715561692

[1715561692]

1715561692

[o_e_l_e_o]

The old way of accessing your coins was via the Ledger Chrome apps: https://support.ledger.com/hc/en-us/articles/360007534774-Download-Ledger-Chrome-apps. Some of these have been permanently deactivated, but I believe the Manager and Bitcoin apps are still functional. Be aware that they haven't been updated in some time, and so using them is a big security risk.

As you say, there are rare cases of Ledger devices needing reset due to a bug in updating them. If I were you, I would move all your coins to a new wallet in which you know the mnemonic phrase, then go about trying to update your Ledger. Once your Ledger is up to date, create a new wallet on the Ledger, safely store the mnemonic phrase, and then move your coins to this new wallet.

You can also use your Ledger with another wallet such as Electrum without needing access to your mnemonic phrase. This is probably a safer option than using the outdated Chrome apps.

[HCP]

However I'm not sure If I want to update my firmware because I can't remember where my recovery phrase is. And the software says that I should have it within reach, as  a precaution.

Regardless of what you do with updating the firmware... if you can't remember where your recovery phrase is, or you have lost it, then I would recommend that you get your assets moved to a new wallet as soon as practicable. Then wipe the device, generate a new recovery phrase and store it safely, then move the coins to the new wallet on the device.

That 24 word recovery phrase IS your wallet, without that, your coins are going to be lost should anything happen to your device!

[bob123]

That 24 word recovery phrase IS your wallet, without that, your coins are going to be lost should anything happen to your device!

^This.


Under no circumstances try to update your firmware without your recovery phrase.
You really NEED that to be on the safe side.

Your goal should be to update the firmware on the nano s to be able to manage it with the 'new' desktop application (ledger live).

But first, make sure to find your mnemonic code. If you can't, move all of your funds to a new wallet.
This is absolutely necessary if you don't want to risk losing all of your coins.


I can't emphasize this enough.. you really NEED that mnemonic code. That's the only way to be able to access your funds should ANYTHING happen.

[Lucius]

Some of these have been permanently deactivated, but I believe the Manager and Bitcoin apps are still functional. Be aware that they haven't been updated in some time, and so using them is a big security risk.

Last time I try Ledger apps in Chrome ( few months ago), Ledger Manager is just show blank page so it was not possible to add / remove apps. Ledger Bitcoin app was working, but very slow as opposed to how it was before. It's maybe possible to move coins via Chrome app, but only those whose apps are already installed on Nano S.

In case OP have only bitcoin stored on Nano S, Electrum and other forks of this wallet can be solution, but outdated coin apps can make problems even with Electrum.

In most cases updating firmware does not require seed, it is just precautionary measure. However OP is have very old firmware, and can experience problems during update, so before doing anything finding seed should be a priority.

Abrasax, in case you use Windows 7 do not start updating on this OS, it is not supported by Ledger.

[o_e_l_e_o]

Last time I try Ledger apps in Chrome ( few months ago), Ledger Manager is just show blank page so it was not possible to add / remove apps.

Yeah, I haven't used the Chrome apps in probably over a year, so I have no idea how functional or not they are. I always hated (and still do) the idea of requiring Chrome to interact with your coins, given Google's horrendous record on privacy and tracking its users.

I'm not really one for many alt coins, but the best thing to do with his bitcoin is use the Ledger as is with Electrum, transfer his coins to a new wallet, then try to update the Ledger once the coins are safe.

[Abrasax]

Thanks for all for your advice.
So I decided to try to open the Ledger with Electrum. I'm running the installation wizard with these instructions:
https://support.ledger.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005161925-Set-up-and-use-Electrum

However now the wizard asks me if I want to select wallet file encryption? What does this mean? It says that "If you enable this
setting, you will need your hardware device to open your wallet".

But what if I've updated the firmware or the device has been reset? I guess the encrypted wallet file won't open then?

edit: I tried without the encrypted file. And pressed next. The wallet is totally empty. No history, no transactions, nada!?!
The network light (on the bottom right row) shows green. Also the Ledger light is green. What went wrong?

[o_e_l_e_o]

First of all, make sure you downloaded the legit version of Electrum from electrum.org. To be extra safe, you should verify it by following these instructions: https://bitcoinelectrum.com/how-to-verify-your-electrum-download/

By selecting encrypted, it means you can't even view your wallet without your hardware wallet connected. If you select unencrypted, you can view your wallet as a watch-only wallet without connecting your hardware wallet. In both scenarios, you can't spend or transact coins without your hardware wallet.

In terms of your wallet being empty, the most likely problem is that you have selected the wrong option from Legacy/Nested Segwit/Native Segwit. What number did you old addresses start with. 1, 3, or bc1?

[Abrasax]

In terms of your wallet being empty, the most likely problem is that you have selected the wrong option from Legacy/Nested Segwit/Native Segwit. What number did you old addresses start with. 1, 3, or bc1?

Yeah, I must have made on error there. But never mind. I tried one of the Ledger Chrome apps and I managed to transfer the funds out 'till I make the firmware update and reset to the Ledger. So everything is OK.

[HCP]

With a wallet that old, I'd guess your addresses started with a "1". So, in Electrum you should have chosen "legacy".  However, if your addresses started with a "3", you should have used "Nested SegWit".

Still, good that you managed to get the funds transferred... your options for updating the firmware (and continuing to use the Ledger device) are going to be a bit limited on Windows 7. It seems a lot of users have issues with Windows 7 and Ledger Live.

You'll probably need to either update to Windows 10 or perhaps run a Linux bootable USB.

[Lucius]

your options for updating the firmware (and continuing to use the Ledger device) are going to be a bit limited on Windows 7. It seems a lot of users have issues with Windows 7 and Ledger Live.

The OP has not mentioned anywhere that he is using Windows 7, and I've already advise him to not even start firmware update on this OS. Some users say it is working in Safe Mode With Networking, but Ledger Live and W7 create more problems than benefits. Although Ledger does not officially support W7, maybe something is changed with new versions of Ledger Live.

Yeah, I haven't used the Chrome apps in probably over a year, so I have no idea how functional or not they are.

It seems that it is still possible to use Chrome apps, which may not be good from the security aspect, but in some cases it can be of help for users like OP which have outdated firmware, or those who still use W7.

[HCP]

The OP has not mentioned anywhere that he is using Windows 7

OOPS!  a combination of my skim reading and getting my "ledger firmware issues" threads mixed up... I saw mention of Windows 7 a couple of posts back, and ran with it... my bad!

[bob123]

Some users say it is working in Safe Mode With Networking

How can it work in safe mode if it doesn't work in normal mode ?

Safe mode basically IS the normal mode with less service (only the very necessary ones) started.


Besides that, there is not a single difference which could affect uncompatible software being able to run ?

[Lucius]

How can it work in safe mode if it doesn't work in normal mode ?

I'm not a technical expert to explain why, but it seems that some processes that are present in normal mode interfere with Ledger Live during firmware update on W7. Info about safe mode with networking is on Ledger site, and there is some post about that on Reddit .

How to fix a blank screen in Ledger Live on Windows 7?
Some users have reported that rebooting their computer in Safe mode with networking allowed them to update their Ledger Nano S. Learn more here. Ledger cannot provide any other solution.