Topic: What to do if your Ledger key have gone in the washing machine (Read 340 times)

People say all kinds of things and promise their methods work.
I have read that it's ok to place an electronic device under sunlight as long as it's for a short period of time. Like 10-20 minutes max. Other's say don't do that under any circumstances. The funny thing is that both will claim they are experts on the matter at hand. You will get similar opinions for hair dryers. Sure, that's ok, just don't make contact with the drier and the other device. And then there is the complete opposite information that this is not recommended as it will damage the electronics.     

I'm curious to know how you would've approached the situation if there wasn't an easy way to disassemble Nano X components: e.g. PCB is glued to the battery while also being glued to the case

I have mixed feelings about this ^{[even with a good airflow]}... Depending on how the configuration is inside someone's PC and how they normally use their computer, there's a lot of generated heat between the space that you're going to place it ^{[sandwiched between the GPU and PSU (for the most part)]} so while it helps with drying them, it could also damage some of its components ^{[especially since we're talking about a product made by Ledger]}!

HW storage cases like this are very suitable, security is more guaranteed if HW is used and carried everywhere. The use of this case will indeed protect devices that cost $80-$100, but for some hardware wallet users it's not about the price of the wallet, but the content inside that is very important with assets that may be hundreds of times the price of the Hardware wallet. The materials used must be made of strong and rust-resistant materials for long-term use and any conditions, even these are also water and fire resistant.


An electronic or hardware wallet can be purchased at any time, but the seed phrase will be very important and the only one that can be made. if you don't do a good and safe backup of the seed phrases, then it's useless. Hardware wallet vendors have provided boards or paper that are used specifically to record seed phrases.

That's why it was a little strange to me that the OP managed to save 2 out of 3 Ledger X that we know have a built-in battery, and we know that that model has had problems with the battery for a long time, so contact with water would only make the whole thing worse. However, it seems that the charge of the battery also plays a crucial role, because of the three devices tested, two had a discharged battery while one did not. I guess that one stopped working a few days after the successful rescue.

Keep in mind most such devices have no built-in battery. As long as electronics are powered down, the worst that can happen is corrosion. You should make sure everything is bone-dry (however way you accomplish that) and check for corrosion; if you have any, it might be fixed by board repair shops.
Anything with a battery though, will most certainly be dead.

Personally, my reply to the question in the title is: 'Take one of my seed phrase backups, restore it on a new wallet, done.'
Or maybe restoring it on Tails and sending the funds to the new hardware wallet.

Sure, electronics may be salvageable, but there is no safer way than a seed phrase backup.

Such a case is really able to save the ledger from being washed in a washing machine. In general, and not only from this. For example, from mechanical influences due to which the display may break or the printed circuit board break, as a result of which the device will fail. Case, after all, will not hurt, especially since the price of $ 20 is not so big. But on the other hand, $20 for a case for a $80-100 device looks a bit expensive. I think I would not refuse this, although fire protection is doubtful. It is unlikely that aluminum is able to withstand a large fire, but it can protect it from a small one. Ideally, such a case should be made of stainless steel for greater strength, but this will certainly lead to an increase in the cost of the case.

I assume that devices was not submerged in water the whole time, which would perhaps explain why it is still revived after bathing. It's not something most people should be worried about, but it's good to know what to expect if a similar situation happens to someone. 


Except in the event that the seed ends up in the washing machine, and it turns out that our HW is broken - that would be really bad luck, so it's wise to have at least two backups in case everything goes wrong

My ledger have been more than 1 hours in the washing machine and I have save 2 on 3 with the method in the videos.  And the 3rd , have worked 2 or 3 days.  The more important things its avoid the more possible the oxydation .. is exist a machine for remove all moisture on electronic device, but its not available for all ... Then we have to make our best with what we have ...

Anyway , our 12 or 24 words of recovery are always there for save de situation in the worst case ^^

Someone please correct me, but if any HW that is not water resistant were left in the washing machine for a long time (30+ minutes), it doesn't seem to me that there would be any help. What the OP described is a situation where you notice very quickly that you have HW in the washing machine, and if it ended up there, it would probably be in the pocket of your pants and jacket so you wouldn't notice it until the washing machine finished washing.

That's why it's always smart to check the pockets before putting anything in the washing machine, and visually check if there's anything there that shouldn't be there. I recently read an article about a cat that barely survived being washed in a washing machine and almost paid with its head for its habit of sleeping inside the washing machine.

I think if I have a hardware wallet then I would go for a protective case...and that is why I am thinking that this should be adopted by makers of hardware wallet as part of their bundle so there is no need to be buying one separately. I am hoping this message can be able to reach manufacturers and marketers of these brands. However, I think that using the rice can be better use for smartphones and not on a Ledger.

After all, why would someone have to be so careless to put HW in his shirt pocket or trouser pocket to carry everywhere? That is the reason why some people lose their assets while traveling I guess. But about the OP's video, it's good to remind that everyone should double check their pockets before putting clothes in the washing machine.

The rice will help absorb the water, but what about the steam? So I guess not everything will work out because it's very possible to demage if it's submerged for too long.

It works on mobile phones since my cousin tried it before but you should make sure that it has been in there for a long time and it is fully dried or the phone would malfunction.
One of my friends tried it and was in a hurry to open his phone that he only put it on the rice for an hour so it didn't work.

I remember the Chinese shop had multiple sizes and I've checked those.
I've bought mine for the Nano S and fits nicely, I even add a small data cable too in there.
But it took more than a month to arrive.

I have some experience with drinks spilled all over electronic devices and I can tell you that sweet drinks are the worst. If it's just water everything should be fine. I've seen flooded keyboards and phones and they were all fine after some proper treatment. Best way is to disassemble, like the OP suggests and take your time. Put it in a warm, dry place and make sure there's a good airflow. A great place to dry electronics is inside your PC case, or on top of it if you have fans blowing upwards. It worked for me countless times.

maybe cheaper for now. I just searched spontaneously and found it on amazon at that price. But about what size you buy is suitable and suitable for use in Ledger nano.



For a ledger that continues to be carried everywhere, of course you will need a case like this. and of course a spare wallet that will always be carried. The main wallet will be in a special safe and not to be taken anywhere, because it will be very risky to lose or be damaged. Upgrading to S plus may be possible, if it passes for a warranty claim 

This is taking money laundering a bit too literal … and what if it then went for a spin in the Mixer (tumbler) ?  

Ledger themselves seem to provide little information as to how well their devices get along with water:
See: https://support.ledger.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015216913-Frequently-asked-questions?docs=true

And that’s about it …

I wouldn’t have really expected one of these devices to make its way to the washing machine with ease, probably because my usage habits in no way should lead to that situation. Giving it a proper thought though, once can envision a bunch of situations whereby the device ends up in a pocket and subsequently takes the dip (in the water). It’s probably even more likely with the Nano X model than the Nano S or Nano S Plus models, due to the Bluetooth feature of the former, that may make it more prone to portability type needs.

I’ve seen a few other videos versing on what to do if your device ends-up in the washing machine (claiming they left it in rice for a while in their case), and even one more or less stating that it was non-officially water proof (which it is not).

All in all, even if one manages to recover the device, it may degrade the device and shorten its longevity. Per se one has to consider the scenario of plugging it in one day, only to find it not working, what to say if it went for a wash.

Side note:
I wonder how they covered the water factor in this very unfortunate promotional stunt, involving a Ledger device allegedly buried in Mt. Gox Everest.

if you put your ledger on the water your warranty is anyway void hahahah

I've bought that ~1.5 years ago at around 2.30 EUR from AliExpress. I've checked and even now you can find it at 5$ or less. If you have a bit of patience you don't have to pay 20$ for it, really. (Just be careful and check the sizes).


However, if one has the private key safe, the rather unlikely case the Ledger gets wet can be seen as a mishap and a replacement bought. At least it will make an upgrade to S plus

If you are too careless then have to use protection. Prevention is better than cure. We aren't sure if a ledger works if you put it on the washing machine. But incidents would happen, and I don't carry Ledger always with me. It's kept in a safe place at home. Chances are too low to work after the drop in water, there are circuits inside if ledger which would damage by the battery short.

Putting it in a waterproof case or using a cryptopod like this might be better, because it is designed for Ledger Devices.
Has Fire Resistant & Waterproof protection.
Made of aluminum alloy material.
Preventing Ledger or hardware wallet damage is better than fixing it.

I found it on amazon and it's on sale for $19.99.


https://www.amazon.com/Crypto-Ledger-Nano-Case-Cryptocurrency/dp/B096SSSRD7?th=1