Ledger Nano S don't work

[GXS]

I took out my Ledger Nano S after years.

This seems somehow not to work at all.

When I connect it to the PC, the screen of the Ledger lights up very dimly. Can it be that he is broken? Or is it the connection from the ledger to the PC or something else?

When I'm in Ledger Live, I can't connect and then I get the message websocket error. Restarting did not help. Of course I don't have the latest update on the ledger. I should repair the ledger but it does not work. Comes then again websocket error.

Is it the cable or is the ledger defective? Screen shines just very weak and you can hardly see anything when you plug it in. Lights up then only briefly something very weak. I do not have a second cable in stock now.

If I have to order a new hardwallet, does it matter from which manufacturer or does it have to be one from Ledger so that I can get back in with the 24 words?

[1714680899]

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[Charles-Tim]

If I have to order a new hardwallet, does it matter from which manufacturer or does it have to be one from Ledger so that I can get back in with the 24 words?

No, you do not need Ledger Nano wallet to access your seed phrase. It is a BIP39 seed phrase and many other wallets are supporting it.

For bitcoin-only wallet, go for Passport
For multicoins, go for Trezor

Even many online wallets like Sparrow, Bluewallet and many others are BIP39 wallets. While Electrum is not BIP39 wallet but support BIP39 seed phrase. But importing the seed phrase into an online wallet is not secure but just for you to understand how most wallet support BIP39 seed phrase.

[GXS]

If I have to order a new hardwallet, does it matter from which manufacturer or does it have to be one from Ledger so that I can get back in with the 24 words?

No, you do not need Ledger Nano wallet to access your seed phrase. It is a BIP39 seed phrase and many other wallets are supporting it.

For bitcoin-only wallet, go for Passport
For multicoins, go for Trezor

I have multicoins
any other hardwallets than trezor possible?

[Charles-Tim]

I have multicoins
any other hardwallets than trezor possible?

I will recommend Trezor. Although Trezor coinjoin is not recommended. But apart from the coinjoin, it is the best that is open source and supporting more coins.

If you can not go for Trezor, I will still advice you to go for open source hardware wallet, you can use this site to check the lists of hardware wallets: https://thebitcoinhole.com/

Only open source wallets are recommended.

[nc50lc]

Is it the cable or is the ledger defective? -snip- I do not have a second cable in stock now.

Test the cable: Use it to connect your phone to your PC and enable data transfer;
if it failed to connect, the wires for data connection are defective.
if your phone doesn't charge, the wires for charging are defective.

I took out my Ledger Nano S after years.
-snip-
When I connect it to the PC, the screen of the Ledger lights up very dimly. Can it be that he is broken?

If the cable has no issue, try to keep it plugged-in for an hour.
It has an internal battery that's being topped-up whenever you plug-in your hardware wallet,
but since you kept it stored for years, the battery may have been drained or totally busted for a long time storage with very low charge.
If it still didn't work, maybe it's time for a repair or a new one.

[satscraper]

Is it the cable or is the ledger defective? -snip- I do not have a second cable in stock now.

Test the cable: Use it to connect your phone to your PC and enable data transfer;
if it failed to connect, the wires for data connection are defective.
if your phone doesn't charge, the wires for charging are defective.

I took out my Ledger Nano S after years.
-snip-
When I connect it to the PC, the screen of the Ledger lights up very dimly. Can it be that he is broken?

If the cable has no issue, try to keep it plugged-in for an hour.
It has an internal battery that's being topped-up whenever you plug-in your hardware wallet,
but since you kept it stored for years, the battery may have been drained or totally busted for a long time storage with very low charge.
If it still didn't work, maybe it's time for a repair or a new one.

Which battery you are talking about? Ledger Nano S has no battery inside it. I have disassembled my device several times and did not see any elements there which would resemble battery. The problem with screen dimming is more likely is in screen itself, it is well established that device has the screen of poor quality and the only way for OP is to buy new display on aliexpress and replace the old display with new one.

[BitMaxz]

It has an internal battery that's being topped-up whenever you plug-in your hardware wallet,
but since you kept it stored for years, the battery may have been drained or totally busted for a long time storage with very low charge.
If it still didn't work, maybe it's time for a repair or a new one.

Is the Ledger Nano S have a built-in battery? I think both Ledger Nano S and S Plus does not have a built-in battery.
The only Ledger wallet with a built-in battery that I'm aware of is the Ledger Nano X.

@OP regarding to your issue it seems that this issue is pretty common in Ledger Nano S. They fixed their issue by replacing the LCD but if you don't want to buy an LCD you can try to disassemble the unit and try to clean the board and LCD terminals.

About the websocket error if the replacing cable does not work as suggested above you can try to clean the USB port with isopropyl alcohol.

[o_e_l_e_o]

Is the screen bright enough that you can still make out the menus and such? If so, then you can try to address the websocket error with these instructions: https://support.ledger.com/hc/en-us/articles/360014056220-WebSocket-error-in-Ledger-Live

Also make sure you have closed down any other software which might be trying to access your USB ports, make sure your USB drivers are up to date, and try different USB ports.

In terms of the screen itself, you'll either need to replace it or buy a new hardware wallet. All OLED screens degrade over time.

[nc50lc]

-snip-

Which battery you are talking about? Ledger Nano S has no battery inside it. I have disassembled my device several times and did not see any elements there which would resemble battery.

Okay, I just assumed that it has since there has to be a way to keep the user data intact.
Plus its hardware isn't opensource.

Since you opened yours and checked multiple times, it seem like it doesn't operate with a battery. (I stand corrected)

[satscraper]

-snip-

Which battery you are talking about? Ledger Nano S has no battery inside it. I have disassembled my device several times and did not see any elements there which would resemble battery.

Okay, I just assumed that it has since there has to be a way to keep the user data intact.

They  are stored in the non-volatile memory of security element which is part of  Ledger Nano S. This type of memory  doesn't require power supply. The same technology is used by ordinary bank cards with embedded chips.   USB thumb drives also utilize such memory.  Depending on environment conditions such memory is capable to keep data intact for very long period of time - up to 10 years or more.

[GXS]

I have try all that. Like Restart the computer and delete the cache.

Don't want to order a display and replace it by myself. I have only ordered a new cable. if it don't help I will order a bitbox 02.

[BitMaxz]

Don't want to order a display and replace it by myself. I have only ordered a new cable. if it don't help I will order a bitbox 02.

While waiting for the new cable why not start to disassemble the unit it should be easy and check the LCD terminals and USB ports and try to clean it with isopropyl alcohol as I suggested above.

If it doesn't fix your issue even if you use a new cable then you don't have any other choice but to buy a new hardware wallet. Since you have a backup seed and passphrase you can easily recover it to other wallets that support BIP39.

If you don't know how to disassemble the unit check this video
- https://youtu.be/388OaC_mClc?si=J2KWAMoN6olBdEWJ

[joniboini]

I have try all that. Like Restart the computer and delete the cache.

Does the error still relate to websocket error when you try to connect to other apps like Electrum? I searched through their social media and it seems some users encounter this error when they have a problem accessing the Ledger backend. Not sure how it would translate if you try to use other apps though. What OS are you running right now? Maybe you can diagnose it more if you can use another device to connect your Ledger.

I guess the only option left is to export your seeds and move to another hardware wallet/air-gapped device if you can't fix your Ledger at all. CMIIW.

[GXS]

I Use macOS Monterey 12.6.9
the new cable don't solve the problem.

[dkbit98]

When I connect it to the PC, the screen of the Ledger lights up very dimly. Can it be that he is broken? Or is it the connection from the ledger to the PC or something else?

Weakest point of ledger nano S models is cheap low quality display that often gets unreadable after few years of usage or storage.
Easy temporary solution is to use smartphone camera to read content on screen, and you can also order new display from China for few bucks and replace it yourself.
Permanent solution is to stop using ledger closed source wallet and switch to some better alternative.

If I have to order a new hardwallet, does it matter from which manufacturer or does it have to be one from Ledger so that I can get back in with the 24 words?

You can use most hardware wallets and import 24 words, but I would choose models with open source firmware.
Depending on what coins you have good options are Bitbox, Trezor, Keystone, Onekey.

I Use macOS Monterey 12.6.9
the new cable don't solve the problem.

Try connecting it with diferrent OS like Linux (usb live version), just to make sure it's not because of operating system.

[joniboini]

I Use macOS Monterey 12.6.9
the new cable don't solve the problem.

Any new update or something on your Mac? I ran the same version on my Macbook Air and I can access my Ledger just fine. It is really difficult to find out the cause if there is no other diagnosis. Try to run a live OS as mentioned above or use a Windows laptop or something to see if your Mac is the problem or your Ledger is dead. CMIIW.

[libert19]

What I am going to say is probably going to sound stupid.

I opened my ledger nano s after couple years, and I couldn't see anything. Thought device is done for, then one particular night I thought to connect it again, and it showed, it's just that screen is very dim, even on highest brightness. So my suggestion, did you try connecting in very dark environment yet? If no, you should try.

I'm also aware of websocket issue, updating firmware and re-connecting fixes the issue.

[Lucius]

I have try all that. Like Restart the computer and delete the cache.
Don't want to order a display and replace it by myself. I have only ordered a new cable. if it don't help I will order a bitbox 02.

If you have the opportunity to buy another HW, then that Ledger definitely deserves to be broken into pieces and thrown in the trash - of course, only when you are sure that you have transferred your funds to safety. Considering everything that has been happening with that company in recent years, I believe that their devices are nothing but a potentially big risk. It seems like a real blessing when they break down on their own.

[BitMaxz]

I Use macOS Monterey 12.6.9
the new cable don't solve the problem.

If the problem remains unresolved, the LCD may be broken so you don't have other choice but to replace it. Since you mentioned earlier that if this hardware wallet is broken, you will just buy a BitBox02 instead. However, I'd like to suggest a few alternative options. Apart from Bitbox02, there are other several hardware wallet options available with open-source code.

You can check them from the link below.


- https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5288971.0

[Cricktor]

Don't want to order a display and replace it by myself. I have only ordered a new cable. if it don't help I will order a bitbox 02.

You could restore your Ledger wallet in BitBox02, allthough I personally wouldn't want to do it as I barely ever trusted Ledger after all the shit they've allowed or planned to happen.

If your Ledger wallet used legacy addresses (P2PKH, those that start with 1...), you may have trouble with BitBox02, because the latter doesn't support legacy address wallets (not sure if this is only a limitation of their wallet software that communicates with the BitBox02 hardware or if the BitBox02's firmware actually doesn't support legacy address wallets anymore).
As I don't use Bitcoin legacy address wallets with my BitBox02, I haven't tested it with Electrum or Sparrow connected to a BitBox02 wallet in particular.