I’ve been unable to restore LND from backup on either StartOS version—0.3.5.1 or 0.4.0.
Here’s the sequence of events:
1. Initial issue: The OTA update to 0.4.0 failed. I had to flash the box back to factory settings (0.3.5.1), restore all services, but didn’t run them.
2. Migration attempt: I upgraded to 0.4.0, migrated the services, and ran LND. It got stuck indefinitely at “Waiting for StartOS to unlock the wallet.”
3. Start9’s response: They confirmed no one had tested this specific path. No helpful solution was provided.
My next step: I took an old DIY box, installed 0.3.5.1 (the last known version where my LND backup worked), and ran LND in Neutrino mode—no node running on the box. Same result: stuck indefinitely at RPC Wallet/Unlock.
So, at this point, I’ve hit the same wall on both versions. I can’t restore LND from backup on either of them.
2026-08-05T11:27:00-05:00 bitcoind_selected = false
2026-08-05T11:27:00-05:00 use_neutrino = true
2026-08-05T11:27:00-05:00 creating public directory…
2026-08-05T11:27:00-05:00 writing .backupignore…
2026-08-05T11:27:00-05:00 checking port 10009 on 172.18.0.12 (gRPC control port)…
2026-08-05T11:27:01-05:00 2026-08-05 16:27:01.405 [INF] LTND: Version Info rev=848b72 version=0.20.1-beta commit=v0.20.1-beta debuglevel=production logging=info
2026-08-05T11:27:01-05:00 2026-08-05 16:27:01.405 [INF] LTND: Network Info rev=848b72 active_chain=Bitcoin network=mainnet
2026-08-05T11:27:01-05:00 2026-08-05 16:27:01.406 [INF] RPCS: RPC server listening on 172.18.0.12:10009
2026-08-05T11:27:01-05:00 2026-08-05 16:27:01.415 [INF] RPCS: gRPC proxy started at 172.18.0.12:8080
2026-08-05T11:27:01-05:00 2026-08-05 16:27:01.415 [INF] LTND: Opening the main database, this might take a few minutes…
2026-08-05T11:27:01-05:00 2026-08-05 16:27:01.415 [INF] LTND: Opening bbolt database, sync_freelist=true, auto_compact=true
2026-08-05T11:27:01-05:00 2026-08-05 16:27:01.507 [INF] CHDB: Compacting database file at /root/.lnd/data/chain/bitcoin/mainnet/macaroons.db
2026-08-05T11:27:01-05:00 2026-08-05 16:27:01.706 [INF] CHDB: DB compaction of /root/.lnd/data/chain/bitcoin/mainnet/macaroons.db successful, 32768 → 32768 bytes (gain=1.00x)
2026-08-05T11:27:01-05:00 2026-08-05 16:27:01.707 [INF] CHDB: Swapping old DB file from /root/.lnd/data/chain/bitcoin/mainnet/temp-dont-use.db to /root/.lnd/data/chain/bitcoin/mainnet/macaroons.db
2026-08-05T11:27:01-05:00 2026-08-05 16:27:01.740 [INF] CHDB: Compacting database file at /root/.lnd/data/watchtower/bitcoin/mainnet/watchtower.db
2026-08-05T11:27:02-05:00 checking if we need to restore from channel backup…
2026-08-05T11:27:02-05:00 Detected Embassy Restore. Conducting precautionary channel backup restoration.
2026-08-05T11:27:02-05:00 unlocking wallet…
2026-08-05T11:27:05-05:00 2026-08-05 16:27:05.150 [ERR] RPCS: [/lnrpc.Lightning/GetInfo]: waiting to start, RPC services not available
Has anyone ever successfully performed a RESTORE on LND under StartOS?