How to Factory Reset a Yubikey

Introduction

Resetting a YubiKey returns the device to its factory state, wiping all existing credentials, PINs, and configured applications so it can be securely re-provisioned. At UW, this is a valuable tool for recovering from lost or compromised keys, and for re-using existing keys when a person has finished using them. This article will go over the process of factory resetting a YubiKey.

 

Procedure

*Note: you will need to have ABR for this process to work. If you don't know how to use ABR, then follow the instructions in the article linked here: https://uwyo.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/1940/Portal/KB/Article/155122/Admin-By-Request*

Step 1

Go to the following link and click on the installer appropriate for the device you are using: https://www.yubico.com/products/yubico-authenticator/#h-download-yubico-authenticator.

Step 2

Once the installer has finished downloading, locate it and double-click it. 

You will need to either be an admin on your device or running ABR. If you do not know how to run an ABR session, follow the link above in red to get instructions.

A screenshot of a web browser's download interface showing three completed downloads, including an image file, a Yubico authenticator software file, and a blacked-out placeholder file.

Step 3

Click Next.

Screen displaying the Yubico Authenticator Setup Wizard with instructions and buttons to continue or exit.

Step 4

Check the box to accept the terms of the license agreement and click Next.

Screenshot of Yubico Authenticator setup window showing an End-User License Agreement with an acceptance checkbox and navigation buttons.

Step 5

Click Next.

Installation window for Yubico Authenticator software, prompting to choose a destination folder with buttons for navigation.

Step 6

Click Install.

Yubico Authenticator setup window displaying installation readiness with options to "Back," "Install," and "Cancel."

Step 7

The authenticator app is now installed. Click Finish and follow the steps below for instructions on factory resetting a YubiKey.

Yubico Authenticator setup completion screen with green and white background, featuring a "Finish" button.

 

Step 1

Go to the Yubico Authenticator and run the app as an Administrator. If you don't already have this application, then follow this link and download the app for the device you will be doing this on: https://www.yubico.com/products/yubico-authenticator/#h-download-yubico-authenticator. Follow the instructions in the previous section for help installing the application.

A computer search interface showing the Yubico Authenticator app as the best match, with multiple search suggestions listed below.

 

Step 2

Now that the app is open, you can insert your YubiKey. Upon doing this, an options menu will pop up. Click the option that says Factory Reset.

User interface for a Security Key NFC device management application, displaying options for Home, Passkeys, and a highlighted Factory reset button.

 

Step 3

In the resulting pop-up window, click on your YubiKey and then click Reset.

Screen interface for a factory reset on a YubiKey device, showing instructions to click on FIDO2 and two buttons labeled “Cancel” and “Reset.”

 

Step 4

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset. First, unplug your Yubikey from your device.

User interface screen showing a factory reset warning for a YubiKey, including instructions to unplug the device, with options to cancel or reset.

Step 5

Now re-insert your YubiKey into your device.

User interface for resetting a YubiKey, displaying a warning about deleting accounts and instructing to reinsert the device, with "Cancel" and "Reset" buttons.

 

Step 6

Now touch the button on your YubiKey. The YubiKey button will look something like the image below.

Black USB security key with a central yellow button featuring a "Y" symbol and a pointing arrow.

 

Step 7

Your YubiKey has now been reset. It's now ready to be set up for another use. 

To set up a YubiKey to be used again for 2FA, follow the instructions on this article: https://uwyo.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/1940/Portal/KB/Article/29168/Selecting-and-using-a-security-key-i-e-YubiKey-for-two-factor-authentication.

Warning message about the factory reset of a YubiKey, indicating that all U2F and FIDO2 accounts will be deleted. Advises users to manage their credentials to avoid being locked out.

 

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