> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://runcrate.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Remove a machine

> Take your GPUs back, drain rentals, remove the machine from Runcrate and uninstall the agent.

To stop renting out a machine, empty it of rentals, remove it in the dashboard, then [uninstall the agent](#uninstall-the-agent).

## Before you uninstall

A machine can only be removed once nothing is rented on it. How long that takes depends on the tier of each rental.

**1. Stop new rentals**

On [Hosts](https://runcrate.ai/dashboard/host), choose **Drain** on the machine. No new rentals start on it; running ones carry on. **Resume** undoes it.

**2. Take spot GPUs back**

Choose **Take GPUs back**. The dashboard shows when each spot rental ends before you confirm: each gets the notice set on its listing (2 to 60 minutes), and runs, and earns, until then. On-demand and reserved rentals can't be taken back.

**3. Let on-demand rentals run out**

The day you drain is the drain notice for on-demand rentals. Keep them running for at least 14 days after it. After that, any still running may be ended.

**4. Honour reserved terms**

A reserved term already booked runs to its end. Draining stops new bookings but doesn't end it.

Uninstalling while rentals are still running takes the machine offline under them. That time is [downtime](https://runcrate.ai/docs/hosts/payouts.md#downtime-refunds), and taking back a rented on-demand or reserved GPU can cost you those tiers.

## Remove the machine in the dashboard

When nothing is rented, choose **Remove machine** on [Hosts](https://runcrate.ai/dashboard/host). Runcrate unlists the machine's listings and deletes its credential, so the agent stops within seconds and stops every VM. Its earnings so far are still paid out.

## Uninstall the agent

On the machine, run the installer with `--uninstall`. There is no `runcrate-host uninstall` command.

```bash wrap theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"catppuccin-mocha"}}
curl -fsSL https://get.runcrate.ai/host |
  sudo sh -s -- --uninstall
```

What it does:

* stops every VM, overwrites and deletes their disks, and removes the VM network and firewall table;
* gives every GPU back to the host: your NVIDIA driver picks them up again, or after a reboot;
* turns NVIDIA's persistence daemon and Fabric Manager back on if the installer stopped them;
* removes the boot and udev rules, the IOMMU line it added to GRUB, the `runcrate-vm` users and group, the agent and its config;
* in the data directory, deletes only what the agent created (`vms/`, `images/`, `holds/`, `state.json`, `gpus-cache.json`), and the directory itself only if that leaves it empty.

The packages it installed stay: QEMU/KVM, OVMF, nftables, genisoimage and iperf3, and perftest on machines with InfiniBand. Remove them with `apt` if you don't need them.

If you uninstall before removing the machine, it shows as **Offline** until you choose **Remove machine**.

## Stop hosting altogether

To end the Host Partner Terms, unlist all your listings, choose **Remove machine** for each machine on [Hosts](https://runcrate.ai/dashboard/host), and write to [support@runcrate.ai](mailto:support@runcrate.ai) to close your host account. Runcrate still pays out what you earned. If you signed the Host Agreement, its rules for running on-demand and reserved rentals still apply until they end.


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