To restore your Ledger wallet, you’ll need your recovery phrase (seed phrase), which consists of 24 words given to you when you first set up the wallet. If you still have the full seed phrase, you can restore your wallet manually, even if your device is stolen, damaged, or lost—or you can rely on Crypto Recovers for professional assistance.
However, if both your device and recovery phrase are lost, you will lose access to your Bitcoin or altcoins on the wallet forever.
How to Recover a Ledger Wallet with a Seed Phrase
To restore the wallet access, you need your seed phrase and the Ledger Live software. Make sure your device is charged and connected right.
Follow this guide to get your wallet back:
- Connect your Ledger wallet to a computer and open Ledger Live app.
- Select “Restore from Recovery Phrase” on the Ledger screen.
- Set a new PIN code (4–8 digits) and confirm it.
- Enter your recovery phrase (12, 18, or 24 words) in the exact order, double-checking for typos.
- Wait for Ledger to verify the phrase and restore your wallet.
- (Optional) Enable Passphrase (25th word) if you used one before.
If you forgot your Ledger PIN, skip the PIN during restoration. The recovery phrase overrides the PIN to restore full access.
If an “invalid recovery phrase” error appears on the screen, review these fixes:
- Make sure each word matches the official BIP39 dictionary spelling.
- Check for spaces between words and correct capitalization.
If you don’t have your hardware wallet, there are still ways to recover your funds without the device.
Whether it’s a Ledger Nano S, Nano X, or another Ledger model, the main recovery steps remain the same—though the navigation may differ slightly.
If your secret recovery phrase is incomplete or partial, find all missing words first.
Always check all ledger account balances across different paths 44’/49’/84’ to make sure you’ve recovered everything.
How to Recover a Ledger Wallet Using a Passphrase
During the recovery process, another confusing question may appear: “How to Restore a Ledger Wallet Using a Passphrase?” If you’ve already recovered the wallet using the seed phrase but the balance doesn’t appear, it may be because the wallet is extra protected with a 25th word — also known as a passphrase. The Ledger passphrase, or the “25th word,” adds more security and transforms Ledger into a so-called hidden wallet.
If you remember your 25th word, here is how to restore the Ledger:
- Reset or set up a new Ledger device → Choose “Restore from Recovery Phrase”.
- Enter your seed phrase (12–24 words) → This restores the default wallet.
- Enable Passphrase:
- Go to Settings → Security → Passphrase.
- Choose “Attach to PIN” or “Manual entry”.
- Enter the exact passphrase (25th word) → This unlocks the hidden wallet.
Ledger restore tip: If you hit a dead end, double-check the order of your seed phrase or reach out to crypto recovery services like Crypto Recovers for expert help.
If you lost your Ledger passphrase and want to recover it, read this article.
What to Do if Ledger Recovery Fails
If you have neither the seed phrase nor the passphrase, your crypto is permanently lost. No one, not even Ledger, can help in this case.
Good news! Even if you still have your seed phrase—whether fully or partially incomplete—Crypto Recovers can help reconstruct missing or incorrect words, assist with passphrase variations, and reset your Ledger via Ledger Live if your device is damaged.
Read more about our Ledger Recovery Service
Ledger Restore FAQs
What happens if I lose my Ledger password?
If you lose your Ledger password, you can still access your crypto by using the recovery phrase (seed phrase). It is a 24-word phrase that you must write down and store securely. The password only provides additional security but is not required for recovery.
What happens if I get my Ledger password wrong three times?
If you enter your Ledger password incorrectly three times, the device will lock you out temporarily. However, you can still access your funds with your recovery phrase.
Will I lose my crypto if I reset my Ledger?
Resetting your Ledger device will not cause you to lose your crypto. You can restore your wallet using your recovery phrase. Ensure you have a backup of your recovery phrase before resetting the device.
Can I recover my Ledger wallet with an incomplete or partially lost recovery seed phrase?
If part of your Ledger recovery seed phrase is lost or incomplete, you will not be able to recover your wallet. The full 24-word phrase is necessary for restoring your wallet. However, crypto recovery services like Crypto Recovers may use advanced techniques, such as brute force or other specialized methods, to attempt to recover the missing parts of the seed phrase.
Can I use my Ledger seed phrase on another wallet or device?
Yes, you can use your Ledger seed phrase on another compatible wallet to restore your funds. However, it’s important to ensure that the wallet supports the same blockchain as your Ledger wallet. Most wallets that follow the BIP39/BIP44 standard, such as Exodus, Electrum, and Trezor, will be compatible with your Ledger recovery phrase.
How to recover Ledger Nano S without a device?
You cannot recover a Ledger Nano S without the device itself. However, if you have your recovery phrase, you can restore your wallet on another Ledger device or compatible wallet.
