How to update the firmware on your Trezor or Ledger device?

Firmware Update Process for Trezor Devices

1. Connect your Trezor device to a computer using a USB cable and ensure it is powered on.

2. Navigate to https://suite.trezor.io using Chrome, Edge, or Brave browser with WebUSB support enabled.

3. Open Trezor Suite and confirm the device appears in the interface; if prompted, enter your PIN directly on the device.

4. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner to access Settings, then select “Firmware update” under the Device section.

5. Review the release notes and version number; click “Update firmware” only after verifying authenticity through digital signature checks displayed in the interface.

6. Confirm the update initiation on the device screen by pressing both buttons simultaneously when instructed.

7. Wait until the progress bar completes and the device reboots automatically; do not disconnect during this phase.

Firmware Update Process for Ledger Devices

1. Install Ledger Live desktop application from https://www.ledger.com/ledger-live — avoid third-party download sources.

2. Launch Ledger Live and connect your Ledger device while holding the left button until the “Ledger” logo appears.

3. Unlock the device using your PIN, then open the Manager app within Ledger Live.

4. Ensure Bluetooth is disabled and only USB connection is active; Ledger Live will detect the device and display its current firmware version.

5. If an update is available, click “Update” next to the firmware entry; Ledger Live downloads the signed binary and verifies it against Ledger’s public keys.

6. Follow on-screen prompts to approve the update on-device using both side buttons.

7. Allow 3–5 minutes for flashing and reboot; the device displays “Bootloader” during installation and returns to the dashboard upon completion.

Security Verification Steps Before Updating

1. Always verify firmware hash signatures using official tools: Trezor provides SHA256 checksums on GitHub releases, Ledger publishes GPG-signed manifests.

2. Never install firmware from unofficial repositories, Telegram groups, or email attachments claiming to offer “enhanced” versions.

3. Confirm that the domain used matches official URLs — trezor.io and ledger.com — and check SSL certificate validity before proceeding.

4. Disable antivirus or firewall software temporarily if it blocks WebUSB or HID communication, but re-enable immediately after.

5. Perform updates on a clean, malware-free machine; avoid public Wi-Fi networks during the process.

Risks of Skipping or Interrupting Firmware Updates

1. Unpatched vulnerabilities may expose seed phrase derivation logic to physical side-channel attacks, especially on older Trezor Model T units prior to v2.4.4.

2. Ledger devices running firmware below 2.50 lack Secure Element firmware isolation improvements, increasing susceptibility to malicious app installations.

3. Power loss or USB disconnection mid-update can brick the device, requiring bootloader recovery via DFU mode or factory reset procedures.

4. Incompatibility between outdated firmware and newer wallet software may prevent transaction signing or cause silent failures in multisig setups.

5. Some exchanges enforce minimum firmware versions for withdrawal authorization; failure to comply results in rejected API requests.

Troubleshooting Failed Firmware Updates

1. If Trezor Suite shows “Device not found”, try a different USB port, disable USB selective suspend in Windows Power Options, or use a certified USB-A to USB-C cable.

2. For Ledger Live stuck at “Preparing update”, close all background apps accessing USB, restart Ledger Live, and ensure no other hardware wallets are connected.

3. If the device enters perpetual bootloader mode, hold both buttons for 10 seconds to force reboot, then reinitiate update from scratch.

4. On macOS, grant Full Disk Access to Ledger Live in Security & Privacy settings if update fails with “Permission denied” errors.

5. When encountering error code 0x6985, the device rejected the update due to incorrect PIN entry during bootloader confirmation — retry with correct credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I update firmware without installing desktop software?A: No. Trezor requires Trezor Suite; Ledger requires Ledger Live. Browser-only updates are not supported for security reasons.

Q: Does firmware update erase my wallet or private keys?A: No. Firmware updates do not touch the secure storage area where seed phrases and keys reside. Your recovery seed remains fully intact.

Q: Why does my Trezor show “Bootloader” after updating?A: This is normal behavior indicating successful transition into firmware verification mode. It exits automatically once integrity checks pass.

Q: Can I downgrade to an older firmware version?A: Ledger explicitly blocks downgrades for security. Trezor allows downgrading only if the target version is signed and listed in their official repository — not recommended.