# How to Stop Validating

If you wish to remain a validator or nominator (e.g. you're only stopping for planned downtime or server maintenance), submitting the `chill` extrinsic in the `staking` pallet should suffice. It is only if you wish to unbond funds or reap an account that you should continue with the following.

To ensure a smooth stop to validation, make sure you should do the following actions:

* Chill your validator
* Purge validator session keys
* Unbond your tokens

These can all be done with [PolkadotJS Apps](https://polkadot.js.org/apps) interface or with extrinsics.

### Chill Validator[​](https://wiki.polkadot.network/docs/maintain-guides-how-to-stop-validating#chill-validator) <a href="#chill-validator" id="chill-validator"></a>

To chill your validator or nominator, call the `staking.chill()` extrinsic. See the [How to Chill](https://wiki.polkadot.network/docs/maintain-guides-how-to-chill) page for more information. You can also [claim your rewards](https://wiki.polkadot.network/docs/learn-simple-payouts#claiming-rewards) at this time.

### Purge validator session keys[​](https://wiki.polkadot.network/docs/maintain-guides-how-to-stop-validating#purge-validator-session-keys) <a href="#purge-validator-session-keys" id="purge-validator-session-keys"></a>

Purging the validator's session keys removes the key reference to your stash. This can be done through the `session.purgeKeys()` extrinsic with the controller account.

**CAUTION**

**If you skip this step, you will not be able to reap your stash account**, and you will also need to rebond, purge the session keys, unbond, and wait the unbonding period again before being able to transfer your tokens.

See [Unbonding and Rebonding](https://wiki.polkadot.network/docs/maintain-guides-how-to-unbond) for more details.

### Unbond your tokens[​](https://wiki.polkadot.network/docs/maintain-guides-how-to-stop-validating#unbond-your-tokens) <a href="#unbond-your-tokens" id="unbond-your-tokens"></a>

Unbonding your tokens can be done through the `Network > Staking > Account actions` page in PolkadotJS Apps by clicking the corresponding stash account dropdown and selecting "Unbond funds". This can also be done through the `staking.unbond()` extrinsic with the controller account.