> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://blocx.gitbook.io/blocx./llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://blocx.gitbook.io/blocx./validator-node/exiting-the-validator-node.md).

# Exiting the Validator Node

### Exiting Validator Node

### **Important Considerations Before Exiting**

* **Irreversibility**: Once a validator is exited, it cannot be reactivated. To resume staking, you'd need to generate new validator keys and initiate the staking process anew.<br>
* **Withdrawal Credentials**: Ensure your validator's withdrawal credentials are set to type `0x01`. This setting is necessary for automatic withdrawals. If your credentials are of type `0x00` (BLS), you'll need to update them before exiting.

### **Access the Validator Container**

Run this command to open an interactive shell inside the validator container:

```bash
docker exec -it $(docker ps --filter "name=validator" --format "{{.Names}}") bash
```

### **Locate the Specific Keystore**

List your validator keys to identify the correct directory:

```bash
ls /validator_keys/
```

\
You will see folders like:

```bash
0xd76cb34a345c8543640ffded77335de1c78d6e6856ea1c8129bc00086147d6479f653fdebf5bc5e92e2720e9f3632441
```

### Run the Voluntary Exit Command

Use the full path to your voting-keystore.json in the command:

```bash
lighthouse account validator exit --testnet-dir=/el-cl-genesis-data/custom_config_data --keystore /validator_keys/<your-validator-folder>/voting-keystore.json --beacon-node http://beacon:5052
```

Example:

```bash
lighthouse account validator exit --testnet-dir=/el-cl-genesis-data/custom_config_data --keystore /validator_keys/0xd76cb34a3.../voting-keystore.json --beacon-node http://beacon:5052
```

### **Provide the Validator Password**

When prompted:

Enter the keystore password for validator...

```bash
→ Type the password you set when you created the validator.
```

### **Provide the Exit Phrase**

It will then prompt:

Enter the exit phrase from the above URL to confirm the voluntary exit:

→ Type exactly:

```bash
Exit my validator
```

### **Verifying the Exit Status**

To monitor the status of your validator's exit, you can use [beacon.blocxscan.com](http://beacon.blocxscan.com/)

1. Navigate to <https://beacon.blocxscan.com/>.
2. Enter your validator's public key or index in the search bar.
3. Review the validator's status to confirm the exit process.

### **Summary of Flow:**

* Access container → list keys → run command → enter validator password → type exit phrase → done!

***