This page is for people using a hardware wallet with MyEtherWallet (MEW) or MyCrypto who see connection failures such as myetherwallet ledger error, myetherwallet ledger not working, or the specific myetherwallet ledger error code 5 message. I write from hands-on testing across browsers and platforms, and from helping others untangle the same problems. Expect quick fixes first, then deeper diagnostics and worked examples.
Symptoms you might see:
Quick checklist (try these before anything complex):
If you search for "my ether wallet ledger" errors online you'll find the same checklist repeated — because many issues have simple causes. And yes, a cable swap often fixes it.
Follow this ordered flow. Work from top to bottom.
Worked example: On a Windows laptop I saw MEW time out. I closed the companion app, unplugged the cable, unlocked the device, opened the Ethereum app, then reconnected. MEW detected the device immediately.
If you're specifically looking for a myetherwallet ledger error code 5 fix, try these targeted steps. Error code 5 commonly appears when the browser can’t open a proper USB session or when another application is holding the device.
Try this ordered list:
If error code 5 persists, collect exact steps (OS, browser version, cable type, whether device shows on the OS) and consult the error-codes-index or transaction-failures-stuck pages for deeper diagnostics. But don’t rush updates — confirm your device shows expected prompts before approving anything.
| Symptom / Error | Likely cause | Action to fix |
|---|---|---|
| No device found | Device locked or wrong app active | Unlock device and open Ethereum app |
| Timeout / code 5 | Browser USB permission or another app has device open | Close apps, switch WebUSB/U2F, try incognito |
| Empty account list | Wrong derivation path or active passphrase | Try alternate derivation paths; check passphrase (25th word) |
| ERC-20 signing fail | Smart-contract data not allowed on device | Approve contract data / smart contract interactions on the device app (follow prompts) |
| Intermittent connect | Faulty cable/port or power-savings issue | Replace cable, use direct port, disable USB power saving |
Firmware and app version mismatches produce connection and signing errors. In my testing, older device apps often behaved poorly with updated web wallet libraries.
Safe update rules:
If you run into update-related problems, check the companion-app troubleshooting page (ledger-live-issues or similar) before attempting recovery.
USB is the most reliable path when using MEW/MyCrypto on desktop. Mobile flows and Bluetooth introduce different failure modes.
But remember: convenience comes with trade-offs. For high-value transactions I prefer to sign over a direct USB connection or an air-gapped workflow.
Address visibility issues often come from derivation path or passphrase mismatches.
For multisig or custom setups, consult multisig-setup and wallet-integration-hub to confirm compatibility.
Q: Can I recover my crypto if the device breaks? A: Yes. Your crypto is controlled by your private keys, recoverable from your seed phrase using compatible wallets. See recover-from-seed for step-by-step guidance.
Q: What happens if the wallet company goes bankrupt? A: If you hold your seed phrase (and any passphrase), you retain access to funds. Read lost-device-company-bankrupt for legal and inheritance planning.
Q: Is Bluetooth safe for a hardware wallet? A: Bluetooth increases attack surface. For convenience it's fine for small transactions, but for long-term cold storage or large transfers stick to USB or air-gapped signing. See connectivity-security.
When MEW/MyCrypto reports a connection error with your hardware wallet, start simple: unlock the device, open the Ethereum app, swap cables, and try an incognito browser session. Escalate to firmware and derivation-path checks only after the basics are exhausted. I believe a calm, methodical checklist saves time and reduces risk. What I’ve found: gather reproducible steps before contacting support — it speeds up resolution.
If you want guided flows, follow the troubleshooting-flowchart or the step-by-step setup guide. For recovery scenarios, see restore-recover-wallet and sweep-recover-software-wallets.