Token Troubleshooting

How to reset & unlock your Wd Proxkey token

If your Wd Proxkey token is locked, or you've forgotten its password, initializing (formatting) the token resets it, but it also erases any certificate currently loaded on it.

Important — FIPS 140-2 series tokens

Your Wd Proxkey is a FIPS 140-2 certified token. On this series, once you initialize (format) it, the existing certificate cannot be re-downloaded or reloaded onto that same token, it's gone for good. In almost every case you'll need to buy a new token and have a fresh certificate issued onto it.

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Read before you begin

Before you start

Initializing your token completely erases whatever certificate is currently loaded on it. Only do this if your token is genuinely locked/unusable, or you're deliberately preparing it to load a new certificate. If you can still access your existing certificate, back up any signed documents you need first, the certificate itself cannot be exported or backed up. On FIPS 140-2 series tokens it also can't be reloaded afterward, so plan to pick up a new token or coordinate re-issuance with your DSC vendor or CA.

Your Wd Proxkey token plugged into a USB port
The WD PROXKey Token Tool installed (comes with the token driver)
5 minutes, and no interruptions to the USB connection

Desktop icon

Steps to initialize (reset) your Wd Proxkey token

This process uses the WD PROXKey token management tool that installs alongside the token drivers. Every step below is shown with an actual screenshot of the tool.

1. Open tool 2. Reveal Admin 3. Initialize Token 4. Click Initialization 5. Confirm 6. Done 7. Reissuance

Open the WD PROXKey tool

Double-click the WD PROXKey icon on your desktop to launch the token management utility. You'll land on this home screen, with the FIPS 140-2 badge and no Admin menu visible yet.

ProxKey Token Tool — WD PROXKey

WD PROXKey token tool home screen after opening it from the desktop icon

Reveal the Admin menu

With the tool open, press Ctrl + Alt + W on your keyboard. This keyboard shortcut reveals a hidden "Admin" item at the bottom of the left-hand menu tree, as marked by the arrow.

ProxKey Token Tool — WD PROXKey

WD PROXKey tool with the hidden Admin menu item now visible after pressing Ctrl+Alt+W

Expand Admin and select Initialize Token

Click the + sign next to Admin to expand it, then click Initialize Token underneath it.

ProxKey Token Tool — WD PROXKey

WD PROXKey tool with Admin expanded and Initialize Token option highlighted

Click the Initialization button

On the Token Initialization screen, click the Initialization button in the middle of the panel to start the reset.

ProxKey Token Tool — Admin

Token Initialization screen in the WD PROXKey tool with the Initialization button highlighted

Confirm the warning

A pop-up warns that all data, including the digital certificate on the token, will be lost. Click OK to confirm, and do not unplug the token while this is in progress. This step can't be undone on a 140-2 series token, so only continue if you're certain.

ProxKey Token Tool — Admin

Confirmation dialog warning that all data on the token will be lost, with OK button highlighted

Initialization succeeded

Once you see "Initialization Succeeded!", click OK. Your token is now reset and empty, ready for a fresh certificate to be loaded onto it.

ProxKey Token Tool — Admin

Initialization Succeeded confirmation dialog in the WD PROXKey tool

Reconnect, then get a certificate loaded again

Once initialization completes, reconnect the token. Remember: on a FIPS 140-2 series Proxkey, the old certificate cannot be re-downloaded onto this same token. Most customers need a new token issued with a fresh certificate, we handle the whole thing for you.

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FIPS 140-2 series · certificate not redownloadable after formatting

Need a certificate reloaded, or a new token altogether?

Once a 140-2 series Proxkey is reset, the certificate can't be brought back onto it, so most customers pick up a new token from us and get a fresh certificate issued the same day. We also help with reissuance where it's possible.

New InnaIT, HypSecu or mToken (FIPS 140-3) tokens with same-day certificate loading

Fast reissuance coordination where a certificate can still be recovered

Remote troubleshooting if initialization isn't working

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, initializing (formatting) the token erases whatever certificate is currently loaded on it. You'll need to have it reissued or reloaded afterward.

No. On FIPS 140-2 series tokens like the Wd Proxkey, once you initialize the token, the certificate that was on it cannot be re-downloaded or reloaded onto that same token again, it's a one-way action. In practice this means you'll need to buy a new token and have a fresh certificate issued onto it. Contact us before you format if you're unsure.

Initializing the token doesn't require the old password, it's designed as a full reset when a token is locked or the password is unknown.

The general concept (initialize/format) is similar, but the specific tool and menu steps differ by brand, message us if you need the exact steps for your token.

How to reset & unlock your Wd Proxkey token

Before you start

Steps to initialize (reset) your Wd Proxkey token

Open the WD PROXKey tool

Reveal the Admin menu

Expand Admin and select Initialize Token

Click the Initialization button

Confirm the warning

Initialization succeeded

Reconnect, then get a certificate loaded again

If the Initialize Token option isn't visible

Need a certificate reloaded, or a new token altogether?

Frequently asked questions

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