CRYPTSETUP-ERASE(8)

NAME
cryptsetup-erase, cryptsetup-luksErase - erase all keyslots

SYNOPSIS

cryptsetup erase [<options>] <device>
cryptsetup luksErase [<options>] <device>

DESCRIPTION

Erase all keyslots and make the LUKS container permanently inaccessible. Unless the device is configured with HW OPAL support you do not need to provide any password for this operation.

WARNING: This operation is irreversible.

WARNING: with --hw-opal-factory-reset ALL data is lost on the device, regardless of the partition it is ran on, if any, and regardless of any LUKS2 header backup, and does not require a valid LUKS2 header to be present on the device to run.

<options> can be [--header, --disable-locks, --hw-opal-factory-reset, --key-file].

OPTIONS

--batch-mode, -q
    Suppresses all confirmation questions. Use with care!

    If the --verify-passphrase option is not specified, this option also switches off the passphrase verification.

--debug or --debug-json
    Run in debug mode with full diagnostic logs. Debug output lines are always prefixed by #.

    If --debug-json is used, additional LUKS2 JSON data structures are printed.

--disable-locks
    Disable lock protection for metadata on disk. This option is valid only for LUKS2 and ignored for other formats.

    WARNING: Do not use this option unless you run cryptsetup in a restricted environment where locking is impossible to perform (where /run directory cannot be used).

--header <device or file storing the LUKS header>
    Use to specify detached LUKS2 header when erasing HW OPAL enabled data device.

--help, -?
    Show help text and default parameters.

--hw-opal-factory-reset
    Erase ALL data on the OPAL self-encrypted device, regardless of the partition it is ran on, if any, and does not require a valid LUKS2 header to be present on the device to run. After providing correct PSID via interactive prompt or via --key-file parameter the device is erased.

    PSID is usually printed on the OPAL device label (either directly or as a QR code). PSID must be entered without any dashes, spaces or underscores.

    NOTE: PSID should be treated as sensitive information as it allows anyone with remote access to the OPAL device to destroy data even if the device is locked. Be sure you do not leak PSID through transparent packaging during transport or images of the drive posted online.

--key-file, -d name (LUKS2 with HW OPAL only)
    Read the Admin PIN or PSID (with --hw-opal-factory-reset) from file depending on options used.

    If the name given is "-", then the secret will be read from stdin. In this case, reading will not stop at newline characters.

--usage
    Show short option help.

--version, -V
    Show the program version.

REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs at or in

Please attach output of the failed command with --debug option added.

SEE ALSO

cryptsetup(8), integritysetup(8) and veritysetup(8)

CRYPTSETUP

Part of