OK, firstly I am a total newbie so please consider carefully following my instructions.
As above, ensure you peformed your previous steps with 1000DRK to a fresh address. If not, start again.
1) Reboot server, execute darkcoind....wait a few moments
2) Darkcoind getinfo (check its 10.12.31 which I assume you are aiming for)
3) Close your local wallet. Wait a couple of minutes
4) Open local wallet and follow the following instructions
4) walletpassphrase Password123 60
5) masternode stop
6) masternode debug
7) walletpassphrase Password 123 60
8) Masternode start
I repeat. I don't know what I'm doing. What I do know is that on occasion darkcoind has taken a while to load and connect to the network. In addition, local wallet commands can misbehave if you haven't got sufficient peer connectivity. Combine the two and you have a certain level of uncertainty.
I'd appreciate it if I am totally barking up the wrong tree if somebody calls me out. I've experienced similar though and occasional pauses in the process and closing local wallet before starting node remotely has worked for me.