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BitcoinMULTIBIT

Troubleshooting MultiBit

Find the problem you are seeing, read the likely cause, and follow the next step. Start here before changing or deleting any wallet files.

Nobody legitimate will ask for your recovery words, private keys, wallet file, or password. Anyone who does is attempting theft.

Common problems and fixes

Connection and synchronization

The status bar shows no peers
Likely cause
Outgoing connections are blocked or the computer is offline.
What to do
Check that other sites load, then allow the wallet through your firewall. Bitcoin peers normally use port 8333.
Synchronization seems stuck
Likely cause
The wallet is downloading headers for the time it was closed.
What to do
Leave it open and connected. After weeks offline, catching up can take several minutes.
Connections keep dropping
Likely cause
An unstable network, sleep mode, or a VPN that reconnects often.
What to do
Disable sleep while synchronizing and try without the VPN to see whether the drops stop.

Installation and startup

The installer is blocked by the system
Likely cause
Windows SmartScreen or macOS Gatekeeper warns about software downloaded from the internet.
What to do
Verify the file against the published checksum or signature first. Only then allow it in the system security settings.
The wallet will not open after an update
Likely cause
An older wallet file or a damaged installation.
What to do
Do not delete the wallet file. Reinstall the application, and keep a copy of the wallet folder before trying again.

Balances and payments

My balance looks wrong
Likely cause
The wallet has not reached the latest block yet.
What to do
Wait until the status reads up to date before comparing with a block explorer or another wallet.
A payment stays pending
Likely cause
It has been broadcast but not included in a block, often because the fee is low relative to current demand.
What to do
Copy the transaction ID and look it up. Do not send the same payment again while the first is still pending.
I sent to the wrong address
Likely cause
Confirmed Bitcoin transactions cannot be reversed by the wallet or anyone else.
What to do
If the address belongs to a known person or service, contact them directly. Check the full address on the review screen next time.
The fee looks higher than expected
Likely cause
Fees depend on network demand and the size of the transaction, not the amount sent.
What to do
Compare the fee options on the review screen. If the payment is not urgent, a lower fee may be acceptable.
An expected payment has not appeared
Likely cause
The sender has not broadcast it, or it went to a different address.
What to do
Ask the sender for the transaction ID and compare the address with the one you shared.

Passwords, backups, and moving wallets

I forgot my wallet password
Likely cause
The password encrypts the local wallet file. Nobody else holds a copy.
What to do
Restore the wallet from your recovery words on this or another computer, then set a new password.
I lost my recovery words but the wallet still opens
Likely cause
The wallet works, but there is no way to restore it if this computer fails.
What to do
Create a new wallet, record its recovery words carefully, and send your funds to it.
I want to move to a new computer
Likely cause
Wallet keys live on the old device until you restore them elsewhere.
What to do
Confirm your recovery words are readable, install MultiBit on the new computer, and choose restore.

Before you contact anyone

Collect these details

  1. Operating system

    Your operating system and its version.

  2. Wallet version

    The MultiBit version from the About window.

  3. Error message

    The exact text of any error message.

  4. Connection status

    What the status bar showed at the time.

  5. Transaction ID

    For a payment issue, include the transaction ID. It contains no private keys, but can reveal payment activity.

Still stuck?

Follow the full procedure

The manual walks through setup, backup, sending, and reading transaction status with expected results for each step.

Open the manual

Describe the issue to us

Tell us your operating system, what you tried, and any error message. Leave out every wallet secret.

Contact support