> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ava.do/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ava.do/your-avado/finding-your-way-around/free-up-space-on-your-consensus-client.md).

# Free up space on your consensus client

Your consensus client (Teku, Nimbus, Lighthouse or Prysm) uses too much disk? Free up space with one click. Your validator keys stay safe.

Is **Teku**, **Nimbus**, **Lighthouse** or **Prysm** using a lot of disk space? You can fix it with one click. Your validator keys stay safe.

## Do I need this?

Only if the client uses **more than 200 GB**.

Your AVADO tells you on **Home**, with a message like **Teku is using 883 GB** and a **Free up space** button.

<figure><img src="https://2996176873-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0YTdumceG05uJMtaEgaT%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ee4f19d8a94db0d4c7a08fe2cd23dd6a033984a4%2Ffree-up-space-home.png?alt=media" alt="Home shows: Teku is using 883.0 GB, with a Free up space button"><figcaption><p>The message on Home. You can click <strong>Free up space</strong> right here.</p></figcaption></figure>

## How to free up space

**1. Click Free up space**

Open **My DApps**, click your client (for example **Teku**), then click **Free up space** at the top.

<figure><img src="https://2996176873-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0YTdumceG05uJMtaEgaT%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ce975130cb5e872affe4a721ba21fe1f945212c3%2Ffree-up-space-app-page.png?alt=media" alt="The Teku page in My DApps with the Free up space button next to Restart"><figcaption><p>The button is next to Restart.</p></figcaption></figure>

**2. Click Free up space again to confirm**

<figure><img src="https://2996176873-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0YTdumceG05uJMtaEgaT%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-96546bc188f9a02bc3755a2d8bba56db51b999c7%2Ffree-up-space-confirm.png?alt=media" alt="The Free up space on Teku message with Cancel and Free up space buttons" width="420"><figcaption><p>The message tells you what is deleted and what is kept.</p></figcaption></figure>

**3. Wait**

* After a few minutes you see: **Deleted … of beacon data. It is syncing again from its checkpoint.**
* Your validators work again after about **15 to 30 minutes**.

That's it.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Keep your AVADO switched on while this runs.
{% endhint %}

## What stays safe

* Your **validator keys**
* Your **slashing protection**
* Your **settings**

Only the downloaded chain data is deleted. The client downloads a fresh, small copy.

## Is my client "archive" or "pruned"?

Switch to **Advanced** (bottom left), then go to **System → Storage**. Under your client you see its **Storage mode**:

<figure><img src="https://2996176873-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0YTdumceG05uJMtaEgaT%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a4ab94d55d7dd4fa02a37a04ccd1363b572a1ca1%2Ffree-up-space-storage-mode.png?alt=media" alt="Teku on System, Storage: Storage mode Recent data only (minimal), with a Free up space button"><figcaption><p>Teku showing "Recent data only (minimal)".</p></figcaption></figure>

* **Recent data only (minimal):** smallest. Best for staking.
* **All blocks (pruned):** bigger, keeps growing slowly.
* **Full history (archive):** biggest. Only needed for special uses. You see **Open settings** instead of **Free up space**: remove the archive setting there first.

From **Teku 0.0.76**, Teku uses **Recent data only (minimal)**.

## Never do this

* Never delete a client's data any other way. It holds your validator keys.
* Never add the same validator keys to a second client. Your validators can be penalised (slashed).

## No Free up space button?

1. Update your AVADO: **System → Updates**. See [Updates, storage and history](/your-avado/finding-your-way-around/updates-storage-and-history.md).
2. Still no button? Contact AVADO support, or your Priority Care contact.