| --- |
| layout: docs |
| page_title: operator step-down - Command |
| description: |- |
| The "operator step-down" forces the Vault server at the given address to step |
| down from active duty. |
| --- |
| |
| # operator step-down |
| |
| The `operator step-down` forces the active Vault node within an [HA cluster](/vault/docs/concepts/ha) |
| to step down from active duty. When executed against a non-active node, i.e. a |
| standby or [performance standby](/vault/docs/enterprise/performance-standby) node, |
| the request will be forwarded to the active node. While the |
| affected node will have a delay before attempting to acquire |
| the leader lock again, if no other Vault nodes acquire the |
| lock beforehand, it is possible for the same node to re-acquire |
| the lock and become active again. |
| |
| ## Examples |
| |
| Force a Vault server to step down as the leader: |
| |
| ```shell-session |
| $ vault operator step-down |
| Success! Stepped down: http://127.0.0.1:8200 |
| ``` |
| |
| ## Usage |
| |
| There are no flags beyond the [standard set of flags](/vault/docs/commands) |
| included on all commands. |
