Defender Compact: “Your Key Is Invalid” When Switching Projects

Applicable products

• Anybus Defender Compact 1004 — ABD1004-NATFW
• Anybus Defender Compact Manager

Issue

When attempting to connect an Anybus Defender Compact 1004 to a different project in Defender Compact Manager, the following message may appear:

Your Key is invalid. Would you like to try it with your Device Password?

After entering the device password, the following message may then appear:

Your Login Password or Key is invalid. You are not able to connect to this device. Please check your First Time Password (Device Label or your self-declared Password), or you may be trying to connect to the wrong device.

This is as designed. You can not switch project on an activated Defender. 

Resolution

To use the Defender Compact with a different project, first reset the device to factory settings. The factory reset removes the existing configuration and project pairing so that the device can be paired with the new project.

Important: A factory reset permanently deletes the configuration currently stored on the Defender Compact. Make sure the existing project and configuration are backed up before continuing.

Prerequisites

You need:

• Physical or remote USB access to the Defender Compact
• The USB cable supplied with the device
• Anybus Defender Compact Manager
• The original device password printed on the device label
• Preferably, the project currently paired with the device

A factory reset can only be performed through the USB interface. The original device password is required even when the device has already been paired or its normal device password has been changed. 

Factory-reset procedure

1. Connect the Defender Compact directly to the computer using the USB cable.
2. Start Anybus Defender Compact Manager.
3. Open the project currently paired with the Defender Compact. Or create a new one. 

4. From the top menu, select:

   Device → Factory reset

5. Enter the original device-specific password printed on the Defender Compact label, then click OK.

6. Confirm the warning by clicking Yes.

   The existing device settings and project pairing will be erased.

7. Click OK when the confirmation message appears.

The Defender Compact will reboot and the connection to Defender Compact Manager will be closed automatically. You may need to disconnect and re-connect the USB cable to re-establish connectivity. 

Pair the device with the new project

After the Defender Compact has restarted:

1. Open the new project in Defender Compact Manager.
2. Click Go Online.
3. Select the USB interface.
4. Enter the original device password when requested.
5. Upload the new project configuration to the device.
6. Save the configuration to flash when prompted.

The new project will now be paired with the Defender Compact.

Important considerations

• A reboot is not the same as a factory reset. Pressing the physical Reset button only restarts the device.
• Do not repeatedly try the new project password or device password after receiving the invalid-key message. The problem is the existing project pairing, not necessarily an incorrect password.
• Always retain a backup of the project that is paired with each deployed Defender Compact.