## Validators

In order to make a validator, the primary requirement is to have a Stash.

Stash are the mapping of stash account(cold wallet) and controller account(hot wallet), where controller account performs actively on staking to bond funds for nomination and validators. For better security, substrate uses 2 accounts stash and controller.

Stashes are already present for all accounts. Validate and Nominate actions are inactive due to inactive controller account.


* All Stashes have default controller account (5C4hrfjw9DjXZTzV3MwzrrAr9P1MJhSrvWGWqi1eSuyUpnhM).
* On creating new accounts, stashes are also getting created with controller account automatically (e.g., TEST2 and TEST12345).
* Unable to change controller account due to all accounts are already mapped by controller (5C4hrfjw9DjXZTzV3MwzrrAr9P1MJhSrvWGWqi1eSuyUpnhM).


* Tried to **Bond more funds** in existing stash but it's not working.




* Controller account is not present in Accounts->My Accounts. Account might be inactive.
* Inactive tab are showing all stashes due to inactive controller account.

* To restore inactive account we need mnemonic seed or backup json file for the account.

**Questions**

**Q1: Why we have default controller for all existing accounts in stashes?**
**Q2: On creating new account, Should it create a stash automatically with a controller (5C4hrfjw9DjXZTzV3MwzrrAr9P1MJhSrvWGWqi1eSuyUpnhM) or user should have control to map the stash and controller?**
**Q3: 5C4hrfjw9DjXZTzV3MwzrrAr9P1MJhSrvWGWqi1eSuyUpnhM belongs to which user?**
**Q4: On starting nodes, Should it show authority nodes in the validator tab?**
* There are no validators showing after starting authority nodes.