How PIN Wipe Works
Trezor is built with a brute-force protection mechanism. After 16 consecutive incorrect PIN entries, the device automatically wipes itself and returns to factory settings. Each wrong guess introduces a time delay that grows exponentially, making rapid guessing impractical. If you know you’ve forgotten your PIN entirely and want to skip directly to recovery, you can also trigger a manual wipe through the device settings without entering incorrect PINs repeatedly.Steps to Regain Access
1
Wipe the device
You have two options to wipe your Trezor:
- Automatic wipe — Enter the wrong PIN 16 times. The device will wipe itself after the final failed attempt.
- Manual wipe — In Trezor Suite, go to Settings → Device → Factory Reset and confirm the action. This is faster and avoids the PIN delay penalties.
2
Wait for the device to reset
After the wipe is triggered, your Trezor will clear all stored wallet data and restart to factory state. The screen will display the initial welcome and setup prompt, exactly as it did when the device was new.
3
Restore your wallet from your recovery seed
Follow the full restoration process to reload your wallet. Select Recover wallet in the setup wizard, choose your seed length and recovery type, then enter your seed words on the device screen. See Restore Your Wallet for step-by-step instructions.
4
Set a new PIN
After your seed is verified and your wallet is restored, you’ll be prompted to set a new PIN. Choose something memorable but not obvious. Avoid birthdays, sequential numbers, or anything someone close to you could guess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will wiping the device delete my crypto?
Will wiping the device delete my crypto?
No. Wiping your Trezor only removes the wallet data stored on the device — it does not touch your funds. Your cryptocurrency exists on the blockchain, not on the hardware itself. As long as you have your recovery seed phrase, you can restore full access to your accounts and balances on any compatible device.
What if I also lost my seed phrase?
What if I also lost my seed phrase?
Unfortunately, if you have forgotten your PIN and also lost your recovery seed phrase, there is no way to recover your funds. Trezor is a self-custody solution — no company, support team, or third party holds a copy of your keys. This is why creating a durable, secure backup of your seed phrase at the time of wallet setup is so critical. If you still have access to your device via the PIN, back up your seed immediately before it’s too late.