What to Do If Trezor Bridge Won’t Launch

Trezor Bridge is essential software that connects your Trezor hardware wallet to your browser, enabling communication with apps like Trezor Suite and supported third-party platforms. But what happens if Trezor Bridge won’t launch or stops working?

Whether you're seeing a blank screen, nothing happens after installation, or the connection keeps failing, don’t panic. This guide walks you through step-by-step troubleshooting to get your Trezor Bridge running again.

What Is Trezor Bridge?

Before jumping into fixes, it helps to understand what Trezor Bridge does.

Trezor Bridge acts as a communication layer between your Trezor device and the browser. It runs in the background and allows browser-based interfaces to securely communicate with your hardware wallet without exposing sensitive information.

If Trezor Bridge won’t start, your browser won’t detect your Trezor, making it impossible to manage funds or access apps.

Common Symptoms of Trezor Bridge Issues

  • Trezor device not recognized by Trezor Suite in browser
  • Trezor Bridge installer appears to do nothing
  • The process fails to start or crashes immediately
  • Bridge was working before but suddenly won’t launch
  • Browser keeps showing “Install Bridge” even after installation

Step-by-Step Fixes

1. Restart Your Computer

It may sound simple, but a reboot can resolve many software conflicts or background process issues. If you just installed Trezor Bridge and it’s not launching, restart your system first.

2. Check for Duplicate Processes

Sometimes, Trezor Bridge tries to start but is blocked by a duplicate or stuck process.

On Windows:

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
  • Look for any “trezord” or “Trezor Bridge” processes
  • End all related processes and try launching the software again

On macOS or Linux:

  • Open your Activity Monitor or system monitor
  • Search for “trezord” or similar
  • Quit any duplicate processes

3. Reinstall Trezor Bridge

Corrupted installations or missing dependencies can cause Bridge to fail.

  • Uninstall the current version of Trezor Bridge from your system
  • Restart your computer
  • Reinstall the latest version of Trezor Bridge
  • Restart your browser after installation

Make sure your operating system meets minimum requirements for the Bridge to run properly.

4. Check for Conflicting Software

Some antivirus tools, firewalls, or browser extensions can interfere with Trezor Bridge.

Try these steps:

  • Temporarily disable antivirus or firewall and test if Bridge works
  • Use a clean browser profile or Incognito/Private Mode
  • Disable any privacy-focused extensions like ad blockers or script blockers

5. Verify USB Drivers (Windows)

If you’re on Windows, outdated or missing USB drivers can prevent the Trezor from connecting.

  • Open Device Manager
  • Plug in your Trezor
  • Look under “Universal Serial Bus devices” for any errors
  • If your device appears with a yellow warning icon, right-click and update the driver

6. Use a Different USB Port or Cable

USB connection issues can mimic Bridge problems. Try:

  • Switching to a different USB port (preferably USB 2.0 or directly on the machine)
  • Using another USB cable — especially if your current one is damaged or low quality
  • Avoid USB hubs and extension cords when troubleshooting

7. Check Background Services

Trezor Bridge runs a background service called trezord. If this service doesn’t start, the Bridge won’t work.

On Windows:

  • Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter
  • Look for “Trezor Bridge” or similar in the list
  • Make sure the service is running and set to “Automatic”
  • If not running, right-click and select “Start”

On macOS/Linux, ensure you have permissions to run services and no background process is blocking startup.

Advanced Steps (If All Else Fails)

  • Try a different user account on your computer. Sometimes user profile settings block startup.
  • Install Trezor Suite Desktop App instead of using the web version — it can function without Bridge.
  • Check your operating system updates — missing security or kernel updates can affect background apps.

Preventing Future Bridge Issues

  • Regularly update Trezor Suite and Trezor Bridge
  • Avoid installing unnecessary browser extensions
  • Do not use multiple wallet software apps simultaneously
  • Keep your OS and drivers up to date

Final Thoughts

Trezor Bridge is a lightweight but essential part of using your hardware wallet with browser-based apps. If it won’t launch, don’t rush to reset your wallet or panic — the issue is usually software-related and fixable with a few steps.

  • With patience and the right troubleshooting approach, you'll be back up and running securely in no time.