# Node with funds stuck at "Starting..." **URL:** \ **Category:** Support and Troubleshooting\ **Created:** [December 4, 2023, 4:45pm UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/node-with-funds-stuck-at-starting/14521 "2023-12-04T16:45:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kalibre444](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@kalibre444](https://community.umbrel.com/u/kalibre444)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 4:45pm UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/node-with-funds-stuck-at-starting/14521/1 "2023-12-04T16:45:13Z")
Hi, I’ve tried every solution shown on the OfficialTroubleshooting & FAQ, including rebooting, flashing the SD, and some of the main problem solutions. The backup I have is 14 months old. I haven’t created new channels since then. As the last backup is too old, I would prefer not to restart the process. I’m a bit worried because the Lightning node had some funds, it was connected to 3 other people, as we created a channel. I have the backup of the channels, but… not the 24 recovery words (big mistake, I know), so a fresh restart is not the preferred method. **EDIT: Dionisius helped me with recovering the seed.** The problem came when the electricity power suddenly went off one day and from then, after two years working with no problem, the node apps keeps on “Starting…” I would be so grateful if someone could help me checking out the log: > **[====================== Umbrel debug info ======================Umbrel ve -...](https://pastebin.com/EBd9tg6e)** > > Pastebin.com is the number one paste tool since 2002. Pastebin is a website where you can store text online for a set period of time. I appreciate any help! 🥺 ---
**Author:** ![Dionisius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/53a042/32.png) [@Dionisius](https://community.umbrel.com/u/Dionisius)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/node-with-funds-stuck-at-starting/14521/2 "2023-12-04T17:24:30Z")
Hey buddy, I hope this can help you. > [@How to go from umbrel-seed hex to 24 word seed?](https://community.umbrel.com/t/how-to-go-from-umbrel-seed-hex-to-24-word-seed/9343): > > I can’t log into the UI for Umbrel, but I can SSH into my machine and see the seed data in: nano ~/umbrel/db/umbrel-seed How do I turn those 64 numbers and letters into a valid seed that I can put into another Umbrel machine? ---
**Author:** ![kalibre444](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@kalibre444](https://community.umbrel.com/u/kalibre444)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 6:40pm UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/node-with-funds-stuck-at-starting/14521/3 "2023-12-04T18:40:41Z")
Oh, thanks sooooo much! This worked to recover the 24 words seed, this was so helpful. Now let’s see if someone can see through the debug log and give some hints on how to proceed. ---
**Author:** ![Dionisius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/53a042/32.png) [@Dionisius](https://community.umbrel.com/u/Dionisius)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 6:53pm UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/node-with-funds-stuck-at-starting/14521/4 "2023-12-04T18:53:31Z")
I’m glad it worked. Well if you have the words and the channel backup i would say the best thing is to just reinstall lightning and restore with the info before there is any important changes on the channels. It is not convenient for them to stay offline for too long. ---
**Author:** ![kalibre444](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@kalibre444](https://community.umbrel.com/u/kalibre444)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/node-with-funds-stuck-at-starting/14521/5 "2023-12-04T19:05:55Z")
Really appreciate it, it made my day. Couldn’t think it was possible! My last backup is from 14 months ago, so I don’t know if it could be a problem… ---
**Author:** ![smolgrrr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.umbrel.com/smolgrrr/32/2825_2.png) [@smolgrrr](https://community.umbrel.com/u/smolgrrr)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 5:55am UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/node-with-funds-stuck-at-starting/14521/6 "2023-12-07T05:55:51Z")
Thats great! Amazing stuff @Dionisius ---
**Author:** ![Dionisius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/53a042/32.png) [@Dionisius](https://community.umbrel.com/u/Dionisius)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 5:06pm UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/node-with-funds-stuck-at-starting/14521/7 "2023-12-07T17:06:50Z")
Personally never had to do a recovery, so don’t know how much impact this would have. But don’t know if you still have the exact same channels. Have you been able to recover yet? ---
**Author:** ![kalibre444](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@kalibre444](https://community.umbrel.com/u/kalibre444)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 11:38am UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/node-with-funds-stuck-at-starting/14521/8 "2023-12-08T11:38:00Z")
I feel more confortable waiting a bit more, hoping that someone could detect a posible solution checking the log, as the channel had a decent amount of funds and the possibility of losing them is scary for me 🫣 I have the exact same channels, so not that bad starting point, but let’s wait a bit more. Thanks for asking! ---
**Author:** ![nmfretz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.umbrel.com/nmfretz/32/3631_2.png) [@nmfretz](https://community.umbrel.com/u/nmfretz)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2023, 1:11am UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/node-with-funds-stuck-at-starting/14521/9 "2023-12-09T01:11:25Z")
Hey @kalibre444 thanks for reaching out on Telegram. Your underlying issue is actually related to the Bitcoin Node, not the Lightning Node directly. Your Bitcoin node won’t start due an issue with the bitcoin.conf file: ```auto bitcoind_1 | Error: Error reading configuration file: parse error on line 3: Load additional configuration file, relative to the data directory. ``` This is resulting in bitcoin core not starting up, which means that your Lightning Node will also be stuck starting because it can’t connect to Bitcoin Core. If we fix Bitcoin Core, then your Lightning Node will also be fixed and then we can look to see if there are any issues with channels. I want to proceed very carefully here to make sure you get your funds back. I will write out all the steps you need to follow, but if you feel uncomfortable I would be willing to jump on a call with you to walk you through it. Do not respond to anyone else attempting to DM you (even “me”). If you were to jump on a call together we would not share your screen when doing anything related to your seed phrase (remember, whoever has this phrase can just steal your funds). Steps to follow: 1. Make sure you have your seed phrase written down. First, let’s make sure you have your actual seed phrase (recovery words) before messing around with anything (thanks for linking to the way to retrieve the seed via SSH @Dionisius!). You can run this command to view the 24 words in plain text: ```auto cat ~/umbrel/app-data/lightning/data/lightning/state.json ``` 1. Fix your Bitcoin configuration - SSH into your Umbrel - navigate to the Bitcoin Core data directory: ```auto cd ~/umbrel/app-data/bitcoin/data/bitcoin ``` - view the files in this directory by running this command: ```auto ls ``` You will likely see two .conf files: `umbrel-bitcoin.conf` and `bitcoin.conf`. The issue is with a line in the `bitcoin.conf` file. You need to edit this bitcoin.conf file because it has a mistake in it. Based on the error message It probably has these two lines in it right now: ```auto Load additional configuration file, relative to the data directory. includeconf=umbrel-bitcoin.conf ``` The first line starting with “Load additional…” is supposed to be a comment, meaning that it needs the `#` symbol in front of it. It should look EXACTLY like this: ```auto # Load additional configuration file, relative to the data directory. includeconf=umbrel-bitcoin.conf" ``` To fix it you should run: ```auto sudo nano ~/umbrel/app-data/bitcoin/data/bitcoin/bitcoin.conf ``` - You will now be in the nano text editor. Add a `#` symbol at the start of the “Load additional…” line - Press Ctrl+X - Press y - Press Enter You have now fixed the bitcoin.conf file. 1. Restart Bitcoin Node Things will probably already be resolved just from doing this, since bitcoin core is likely in a continual restart loop and will pick up the configuration change you made. But just to be safe run this command to restart the Bitcoin app: ```auto sudo ~/umbrel/scripts/app restart bitcoin ``` Wait a few minutes and then try to access the Bitcoin Node app from your browser. It will be catching up on blocks that it hasn’t downloaded and validated since your node has been offline. You should now also be able to access your Lightning Node app, but you will likely see a message that Bitcoin Core is still syncing and that you need to wait. Once Bitcoin is synced you should have full access to your Lightning Node. Let me know what you see in terms of channels when you get there. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![nmfretz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.umbrel.com/nmfretz/32/3631_2.png) [@nmfretz](https://community.umbrel.com/u/nmfretz)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2023, 5:18am UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/node-with-funds-stuck-at-starting/14521/10 "2023-12-11T05:18:47Z")
Thanks for reaching out again on Telegram @kalibre444! Super glad to hear you are back to syncing Bitcoin Core. Let us know if you encounter any issues with your channels once you are synced. Noting this here so I remember what happened if a channel issue arises. > **[kalibre in Umbrel Community](https://t.me/getumbrel/207765/226795)** > > THANKS. SO. MUCH. > > The steps were super clear, thanks so much for the effort and your time, bitcoin core is working again. I wouldn't be able to identify the # mistake in 4 lifes. I'll wait for the full blockchain to be synchronized and hope the... ---
**Author:** ![kalibre444](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@kalibre444](https://community.umbrel.com/u/kalibre444)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/node-with-funds-stuck-at-starting/14521/11 "2023-12-14T19:33:33Z")
Hi! The blockchain fully synchronized, thank you very much for your help. Existing channel was still there, although one of my mates’ node got broken (electricity suddenly shut down, raspberry4, umbrel) and the channel is in the process of closing, but that’s another story. Thanks so much!