Ledger.com/Start — Official Quick Start, Security & Troubleshooting







Ledger.com/Start — Clear, Secure Quick Start


A practical, step-by-step walkthrough of Ledger.com/Start to help you set up your Ledger hardware wallet safely and confidently — from unboxing to long‑term backups.






At a glance — what Ledger.com/Start does for you


Ledger.com/Start (the official onboarding hub) leads you through authenticating your device, creating or restoring a recovery phrase, choosing a PIN, installing Ledger Live, and applying firmware updates. It's the safest route to initialize your hardware wallet when done on an official Ledger device and a trusted computer or mobile device.






Before you start — safety checklist


    

  • Buy only from Ledger or an authorized reseller. If the box appears tampered with, stop and contact Ledger support.
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  • Do the setup in private on a trusted machine. Avoid public Wi‑Fi and unknown USB hubs.
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  • Have the supplied recovery sheet and a pen (or prepare a certified metal backup) ready — never store words digitally.
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  • Keep your phone charged if using Ledger Live mobile; if using desktop, close unnecessary apps during setup.
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Step-by-step — setting up via Ledger.com/Start


    

  1. Open a new browser tab and type the official address manually: https://www.ledger.com/start. Confirm the TLS padlock and domain — never follow a link from unsolicited emails.
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  2. Connect your Ledger device using the original cable (or Bluetooth for supported models). Power it on and follow on‑screen prompts on the device and Ledger.com/Start.
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  3. Choose "Set up as new device" (unless you are intentionally restoring from an existing recovery phrase).
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  4. Create a PIN directly on the device. Pick a PIN that's memorable for you but hard for others to guess. Don't write the PIN on your recovery sheet.
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  5. Write down the recovery phrase exactly (usually 24 words). Ledger will never ask you to enter this phrase on a website or send it by email. Record words in order and double‑check spelling.
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  6. Confirm the recovery phrase when prompted by your device to ensure accuracy.
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  7. Install Ledger Live from the official Ledger site if you haven't already; Ledger Live manages apps, accounts, and firmware.
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  8. Update firmware and install crypto apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) via Ledger Live. Apply firmware updates when prompted — they can include important security fixes.
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  9. Finish setup and run a small test transaction to confirm everything works before moving significant funds.
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How to restore from a recovery phrase


To restore, select the restore option during setup and enter your recovery words exactly in order. After restoring, open Ledger Live and reinstall the apps for the blockchains you use. Verifying account addresses against those displayed in Ledger Live is a good sanity check before transacting.






Common issues and fixes


    

  • Device not detected: Swap the cable or USB port, avoid USB hubs, and reboot your computer. On mobile, ensure permissions are granted for USB/Bluetooth.
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  • Firmware update interrupted: Reconnect the device and retry via Ledger Live; temporarily disable firewall/antivirus if it's blocking the updater.
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  • Lost recovery phrase but device still accessible: Create a new wallet (reset device), generate a new recovery phrase, transfer funds, and securely store the new phrase.
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  • Phishing attempts: Never type your recovery on any website or share it. If you receive suspicious messages, verify via the official Ledger site and support channels.
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Practical security tips for daily use


    

  • Use a hardware wallet for long‑term storage; keep only operational amounts in hot wallets.
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  • Consider a metal backup for your recovery phrase to protect against fire/water damage.
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  • Keep firmware and Ledger Live up to date; subscribe to official channels for security advisories.
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  • Avoid plausible-sounding social engineering. Ledger staff will never ask for your recovery phrase.
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  • If using passphrases (advanced feature), document procedures carefully — losing the passphrase equals permanent loss of funds on that derivation path.
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If something goes wrong — quick recovery steps


    

  1. Stop any transactions and disconnect devices if you suspect compromise.
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  2. Move funds to a secure wallet if you can safely access the account and the recovery phrase is intact.
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  3. Contact Ledger support through the official website — do not respond to support offers in unsolicited emails or social media DMs.
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  4. Secure your email and any linked accounts, since attackers often try to escalate through email access.
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This guide complements the official instructions available at Ledger.com/Start. Always prioritize official channels for downloads and support. Keep your recovery offline and your device software current.


Last updated: September 15, 2025