Who this guide is for
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.
Common symptoms and quick checklist
Symptoms you might see:
- Browser never prompts to connect or times out.
- MEW/MyCrypto reports a numeric error (code 5 is common) or “No device found.”
- Addresses appear blank or an unexpected account shows.
- Transaction attempts fail or stall during the signing step (ERC-20 and DeFi flows are frequent trouble spots).
Quick checklist (try these before anything complex):
- Unlock the hardware wallet and open the Ethereum app on the device.
- Use a known-good USB cable and switch USB ports.
- Close other wallet apps and browser extensions (MetaMask often conflicts).
- Try an incognito/private window with extensions disabled.
- Test another browser or another computer to isolate the issue.
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.
Step-by-step troubleshooting (quick fixes first)
Follow this ordered flow. Work from top to bottom.
- Disconnect the device. Wait five seconds. Unlock the device and open the Ethereum app, then reconnect.
- Close desktop companion apps and all browser tabs that might access the device.
- In MEW/MyCrypto select the hardware wallet option and follow the Ledger connection flow (pick the WebUSB or U2F option if shown).
- If you still see nothing, open a browser private window and try again (extensions won’t run there).
- If it still fails, reboot the computer and retry on a different USB port.
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.
Specific: myetherwallet ledger error code 5 — what to try (and a fix list)
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:
- Make sure the device is unlocked and the Ethereum app is open on-screen.
- Close any companion desktop apps and other wallet browser tabs (including MetaMask).
- Switch connection mode on MEW/MyCrypto: try WebUSB first, then U2F if available.
- Use a different USB cable and port (avoid hubs; use direct ports).
- Test in an incognito/private window with extensions disabled.
- Try another browser or computer to rule out OS driver issues.
- Reboot the computer if nothing else works.
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.
Root causes mapped to fixes (table)
| 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, apps, and safety when updating
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:
- Update firmware only through the device’s official companion application and follow on-device prompts. See firmware-updates and advanced-firmware-recovery.
- Read every confirmation on the device screen; the secure element displays what you are approving.
- Never enter your seed phrase into a website or browser extension.
If you run into update-related problems, check the companion-app troubleshooting page (ledger-live-issues or similar) before attempting recovery.
USB vs Bluetooth vs Mobile — connection notes
USB is the most reliable path when using MEW/MyCrypto on desktop. Mobile flows and Bluetooth introduce different failure modes.
- Use direct USB on desktop first. If that fails, test another computer.
- Mobile connections (OTG or companion app flows) require extra permissions — see usb-otg-bluetooth and mobile-android-troubleshoot.
- Bluetooth may not be supported by some web wallets; if a web wallet doesn't detect a Bluetooth-capable device, switch to USB.
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.
Advanced: derivation paths, passphrase, and account visibility
Address visibility issues often come from derivation path or passphrase mismatches.
- Derivation paths: MEW/MyCrypto allow you to switch between common paths (BIP-44, Ledger Live path, etc.). If the expected address doesn’t appear, try alternate paths in the account selector.
- Passphrase (25th word): If you used an optional passphrase when creating an account, the device will expose a different set of addresses under that passphrase. See passphrase-25th-word and seed-phrase-management.
For multisig or custom setups, consult multisig-setup and wallet-integration-hub to confirm compatibility.
FAQ — real user questions
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.
Wrap-up and next steps
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.
