Ledger Nano S Plus Stuck on Bootloader: How to Exit Safely
If your Ledger Nano S Plus displays "Bootloader" on the screen and stays there, your device is in a special firmware update mode. You can exit it safely without losing any funds, and the fix usually takes less than a minute. Do not unplug the device repeatedly or attempt to reset it by holding buttons at random - that can cause a failed firmware update.
What "Bootloader" Means on a Ledger Nano S Plus
The bootloader is a low-level software component that runs before the main operating system loads. When you see "Bootloader" on the screen, it means the device has started but cannot proceed to the normal Ledger Live interface. This typically happens for three reasons:
- A firmware update was interrupted (USB cable pulled, computer crashed, Ledger Live closed mid-update)
- The device was left plugged in while you exited Ledger Live
- The firmware update itself failed or was incomplete
The bootloader mode is not a sign of a hardware failure. Your recovery phrase remains safe on the device's secure element chip. You cannot access your accounts or sign transactions while in bootloader mode, but your funds are not at risk.
How to exit bootloader safely
Follow these steps in order. Do not skip or reorder them.
Step 1: close ledger live completely
If Ledger Live is open, close it. On Windows, check the system tray for a running background process and quit it there. On macOS, right-click the icon in the dock and select Quit. A running Ledger Live process can interfere with the bootloader exit.
Step 2: Disconnect the Ledger from USB
Unplug the USB cable from your computer. Do not pull the cable from the device end - grip the connector, not the cable.
Step 3: Wait 10 Seconds
Give the device's internal capacitors time to discharge. A quick reconnect may not clear the bootloader state.
Step 4: Reconnect the USB Cable
Plug the device back into your computer. The screen should show the normal "Welcome" or "Connect to Ledger Live" message. If it still shows "Bootloader," proceed to Step 5.
Step 5: Force a Hard Reset
Press and hold both buttons on the device simultaneously. While holding them, plug the USB cable back in. Continue holding both buttons for about 5 seconds after connecting. Release them. The screen should now show the normal startup sequence. If it still shows "Bootloader," move to Step 6.
Step 6: reopen ledger live
Open Ledger Live. If your device is recognized, Ledger Live will detect the bootloader state and prompt you to repair or reinstall the firmware. Click the repair option - do not attempt a manual reset. The repair process will download and reinstall the latest firmware version. Your recovery phrase is not erased during this process.
What If the Screen Is Blank or Frozen?
If the device shows "Bootloader" but the screen is unresponsive to button presses, the firmware update likely failed mid-process. In this case:
- Close Ledger Live completely.
- Unplug the device.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the device while holding the left button only (not both). This forces the device into recovery mode, where Ledger Live can attempt a firmware reinstall.
- Follow the on-screen prompts in Ledger Live to restore the firmware.
When you should use the recovery phrase
You do not need to enter your recovery phrase to exit bootloader mode. The bootloader is a temporary state; your seed is still stored on the device. Only use your recovery phrase if:
- The device asks you to "Restore from recovery phrase" on a blank screen
- Ledger Live reports the device is "unresponsive" and requires a full reset
- The repair process fails and you are instructed to restore
If you must restore, use the 24-word recovery phrase you wrote down when you first set up the device. Do not use a phrase stored digitally (photo, text file, cloud). Enter it directly on the device using the buttons - never type it into a computer or phone.
What not to do
- Do not unplug and reconnect the device more than five times in quick succession. This can wear the USB port.
- Do not try to "skip" the bootloader by pressing random button combinations. There is no hidden shortcut.
- Do not download third-party firmware or "bootloader fix" tools from the internet. Only use the official Ledger Live application.
- Do not reset the device by entering the wrong PIN repeatedly. That erases your keys and requires full recovery from the seed phrase.
When to contact support
If you have tried all steps above and the device still shows "Bootloader" after 30 minutes, the firmware may be corrupted beyond repair. Contact Ledger support through their official website (not through social media DMs). Before contacting, have your device's serial number and the exact error message ready. Support can walk you through a manual firmware reflash that may save the device without requiring a seed phrase restore.
In most cases, a stuck bootloader is a temporary glitch that resolves with a clean restart. Your funds remain safe as long as you have your recovery phrase stored securely offline.
Not financial advice. lowcap.xyz publishes market data and general information about lowcap. Crypto assets are volatile and you can lose everything you put in. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy, sell or hold, and we make no price predictions.
Prices are sourced from third parties and may be delayed or wrong. Verify anything you intend to act on against a primary source.