> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.vectra.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.vectra.ai/deployment/appliance-operations/unpairing-sensor-from-brain.md).

# Unpairing Sensor from Brain

## Introduction

Unpairing is the process of removing the Sensor and Brain association. The Sensor unpairing may be required in case of :

1. Brain migration to new IP.
2. The sensor is being returned to Vectra.

Related Links:

* [Pairing Sensors](/deployment/appliance-operations/pairing-appliances.md)
* [How do I clear data from a Vectra appliance before returning it?](https://support.vectra.ai/vectra/article/KB-VS-1048)

## Preparation:

1. You can see the list of paired Sensors and the list of Sensors available for pairing from your UI at: *Configuration → COVERAGE → Data Sources → Network → Sensors.*\
   \
   The status column indicates whether the Sensor has been paired (i.e. Forwarding / Not-forwarding) or is available for pairing (i.e. Provisioned / Pairing). Sensors that have been paired with other Brain devices are not listed on this screen.

   <figure><img src="/files/Kl0ltZs4ZIH6etirbt4e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Steps:

### From the UI

1. Go to *Configuration → COVERAGE → Data Sources → Network → Sensors.*
2. Hover the cursor over the sensor you want to unpair; to see the unpair icon (Marked with a red border in the below picture). Click on it.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/vpi5TGLmwshoqdMALDAa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. The pop-up show like the below screen. Click on the **Unpair Sensor** button\
   The status of Sensor will chnage to unpairing.\
   ![](/files/sCa2Tf1Ju7PquLULA3ZV)

   <figure><img src="/files/jnTiY7opG2k0AW2V1y44" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
4. Wait for approx 5 minutes; the Sensor status should chage to **Provisioned** .\
   ![](/files/npEMqCDBOThVnQDTAPfm)
5. There may be situations when the Brain is not able to reach the Sensor; in that case:
   1. Click on unpair button again.\
      ![](/files/d0c2aUrzICr8jNmawOzN)
   2. The pop-up will appear . Click on **Force Unpair Sensor**.\
      \
      If the sensor is a Virtual Sensor, just delete the sensor image; and if it's a physical sensor then login to sensor VCLI as a 'vectra' user, and run the command

      ```ckeditor_codeblock
      show brain
      del brain
      show brain
      ```

      The sensor unpairing is complete now.

      <figure><img src="/files/cIQzA6WTzyeRAMTS22VL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### From CLI

1. To list the Sensor:

   ```language-c
   show sensors
   ```
2. Now, to unpair (*replace \[SERIAL] by the Sensor serial number*):

   ```language-c
   sensor unpair [SERIAL]
   ```
3. In special cases, for example, if a virtual sensor was deleted from the host before unpairing it, you will can force the removal:

   ```language-c
   sensor unpair --force [SERIAL]
   ```

### Unpairing Cloud Sensor (Data Source Connector)

1. Go to *Configuration → COVERAGE → Data Sources → The Cloud Sensor you wish to delete.*
2. Click on the **Delete** icon.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/ZimpkXcMDh1m8QNUO3uT" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. It will ask for the confirmation page, select **Remove Connection**.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/R8KEeqS3BYUSiEhznDnH" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
4. Wait for 2 minutes, and the cloud Sensor will disappear.

## Verification

1. The Sensor state should be at the **Available** state in your Sensors list.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/quu9ptdBbm3ti3NfmeeM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. In the case of the Physical Sensor, the following VCLI command should give \<blank> result.

   ```ckeditor_codeblock
   show brain
   ```

## Troubleshooting

If prerequisites are passing then sensor pairing can go as easily as it can be; however in case of any issue please contact Vectra support. If possible, please add the following information to the ticket:

1. Output of VCLI commands on Sensor:

```ckeditor_codeblock
show serial-number
show version
show brain
show interface
```

2. Output of VCLI commands on the brain:

```ckeditor_codeblock
show serial-number
show version
show interface
```

```
 
```

3\. Screenshot of sensor detail at: *Configuration > Data Sources → COVERAGE → Network → Sensors* then scroll to the Sensor in the subject and click on the tree.


---

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