# Exit from a Gnosis Validator

Exiting from a Gnosis validator means removing your validator from active duties and unstaking the 1 GNO from the beacon chain.  You will stop earning any consensus or execution rewards.  Your 1 GNO stake will be held on the Gnosis Chain Deposit Contract, and *claimable* to your **Withdrawal Address**.

## Before you Begin

1. Ensure that your node is fully synced before initiating the exit process.
2. Set a Withdrawal Address.  If you have been regularly receiving rewards above 1 GNO from the validator, your Withdrawal Address is already set.  If not, follow this [guide](/more-staking-opportunities/gnosis-staking/set-withdrawal-address.md) to set your Withdrawal Address.  Complete this step before proceeding.

## Step 1: Initiate the Validator Exit

In [**Gnosis Teku**](http://my.ava.do/#/Packages/teku-gnosis.avado.dnp.dappnode.eth), locate the "exit" icon on the far right of the line.

<figure><img src="/files/CY8TS90qZTV4LGgcQuoO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Click this button to initiate the exit and confirm the action as follows. &#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/FbhU2V7XU9JVylMPyNn5" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Once initiated, you don't need to do anything further.  Sit back and wait for the following steps to happen automatically.

## Step 2: Wait for the Validator to Exit

After initiating the validator exit, the following events will occur:

* Gnosis Teku will broadcast a message to the beacon chain to signal your intention to exit.
* A few minutes later, gnosischa.in will display a flashing green "exited" state. &#x20;
* The exit epoch is at least 4 epochs later, plus the period you need to wait in the exit queue.&#x20;
* On the validator dashboard, the status will change from `active_ongoing` to `active_exiting`.

<figure><img src="/files/mlVBvLCYZnCE4INIjzJb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/qNXKyKhDTKwKgqrImNj3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Once your validator reaches the "exit epoch":

* gnosischa.in shows a solid green "exited" state.
* The display message will indicate the expected epoch when the balance becomes "withdrawable".
* On the validator dashboard, the status becomes: `exited_unslashed`.

<figure><img src="/files/q5WQss4Bkxpf9OUdayER" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/KYirZxSDSRWig4UTdEXL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Step 3: Claim the GNO

Once your validator balance becomes withdrawable, you have two options to claim your GNO stake and accrued rewards on the Gnosis Chain:

1. [**Gnosis Chain Deposit Site**](/more-staking-opportunities/gnosis-staking/rewards-and-penalties.md#option-1-claim-on-the-gnosis-chain-deposit-site): Visit the Gnosis Chain Deposit Site and follow the same process as claiming partial withdrawals.  You will be able to claim your GNO stake and rewards through the user-friendly interface provided on the site.
2. [**Manual Claim via Gnosis Chain Deposit Contract**](/more-staking-opportunities/gnosis-staking/rewards-and-penalties.md#option-2-claim-by-interacting-with-the-gnosis-chain-deposit-contract): Alternatively, you can manually claim your GNO stake and rewards by interacting directly with the Gnosis Chain Deposit Contract.  The process for manual claiming is the same as claiming partial withdrawals.

Please refer to the section on [**Claiming the GNO Rewards**](/more-staking-opportunities/gnosis-staking/rewards-and-penalties.md#claiming-the-gno-rewards) for details.


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