How to remove or reset BIOS password?

Forgetting passwords is a problem we are all too familiar with. While in most cases, just clicking the ”  Forgot Password  ” option and following a few simple steps will allow you to regain access, that’s not always the case. Forgetting a BIOS password (usually set to avoid entering BIOS setup or preventing your personal computer from starting up) means that you will not be able to fully boot your system. 

Fortunately, like everything, there are workarounds for this problem. We’ll go through these workarounds/solutions to forget BIOS passwords in this article and hopefully get you back into your system.

What is a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)?

The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is the firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the boot process, and it also provides runtime services for programs and the operating system. In layman’s terms, the computer’s microprocessor uses the BIOS program to start the computer system when you press the ON button on the CPU. The BIOS also manages the flow of data between the computer’s operating system and attached devices such as hard drives, keyboards, printers, mice, and video adapters.

What is a BIOS password?

A BIOS password is authentication information required to log into a computer’s basic input/output system from time to time before the boot process begins. However, BIOS passwords need to be manually enabled, so they are mostly found on corporate computers rather than personal systems.

The password is stored in Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) memory . In some types of computers, it is maintained by a small battery attached to the motherboard. It prevents unauthorized use of a computer by providing an extra layer of security. It sometimes causes problems; for example, if the computer owner forgets his password or an employee returns his/her computer without revealing the password, the computer will not boot.

How to Delete or Reset BIOS Password Table of Contents

• How to delete or reset the BIOS password (2022)
• Method 1: BIOS password backdoor
• Method 2: Remove CMOS battery to bypass BIOS password
• Method 3: Bypass or reset the BIOS password using motherboard jumpers
• Method 4: Use third-party software to reset the BIOS password
• Method 5: Remove BIOS Password Using Command Prompt

How to remove or reset the BIOS password

There are five main ways to reset or delete the BIOS password. They range from trying a dozen different passwords to gaining access to popping a button from the system board. None of them are too complicated, but they do require some effort and patience.

Method 1: BIOS password backdoor

Few BIOS manufacturers retain a ” master ” password to access the BIOS menu, which is independent of the password set by the user. The master password is used for testing and troubleshooting purposes; it is a type of failsafe. This is the easiest and least technical method of all the methods on the list. We recommend you try it for the first time as it does not require you to turn on the system.

1. When entering the password in the window, enter the wrong password three times; a fault protection named “Checksum” will pop up .

A message arrives notifying that the system has been disabled or that the password has failed, and a number appears in square brackets below the message; note this number carefully.

2. Access the BIOS Master Password Generator, enter a number in the text box, and click the blue button below it that says “Get Password”.
3. After clicking the button, the website will list several possible passwords that you can try one by one, starting with the code labeled “Generic Phoenix”. If the first code doesn’t get you into BIOS setup, work your way down the list of codes until you find success. Regardless of the password you or your employer set up, one of those codes will definitely give you access.
4. After entering one of the passwords, you can simply restart the computer and enter the same BIOS passwordagain without any problem.

NOTE: You can ignore the “system disabled” message as it’s just there to scare you.

Method 2: Remove CMOS battery to  bypass BIOS password

How -to guide to remove or reset the BIOS password : As mentioned earlier, the BIOS password is stored in Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) memory along with all other BIOS settings. It’s a small battery attached to the motherboard that stores settings like the date and time. This is especially true for older computers. Therefore, this method is not suitable for some newer systems, which have non-volatile storage flash memory or EEPROM , and do not require power to store the BIOS setup password. But it’s still worth a try as this method is the easiest.

1. Shut down the computer, unplug the power cord, and disconnect all cables. (Note the exact location and location of the cables to help you reinstall)
2. Open the desktop chassis or laptop panel. Take out the motherboard and find the CMOS battery. The CMOS battery is a silver cast battery located inside the motherboard.
3. Use a flat blunt object such as a butter knife to eject the battery. Be careful not to accidentally damage the motherboard or yourself. Pay attention to the installation direction of the CMOS battery, usually the positive side of the print is facing you.
4. Store the battery in a clean, dry place for at least 30 minutes before putting it back in place. This will reset all BIOS settings, includingthe BIOS password we were trying to get past.
5. Plug all power cords back and turn on the systemto check if the BIOS information has been reset. At system startup, you have the option to set a new BIOS password, if you do, write it down for future use.

Method 3: Bypass or reset the BIOS password using motherboard jumpers

How to remove or reset BIOS password? This is probably the most effective way to get rid of BIOS passwords on modern systems.

Most motherboards contain a jumper that clears all CMOS settings as well as the BIOS password. The jumper is responsible for closing the circuit, thus shutting off the current flow. These are used to configure computer peripherals such as hard drives, motherboards, sound cards, modems, etc.

(Disclaimer: We recommend extreme caution when performing this method or with the help of a professional technician, especially in modern laptops.)

1. Open the system cabinet (CPU)and carefully remove the motherboard.
2. Find the jumper wires, they are a few pins that stick out from the motherboard andhave some plastic covering on the end called a jumper block. They are mostly on the edge of the board, if not, try near the CMOS battery or near the CPU. On laptops, you can also try looking under the keyboard or on the bottom of the laptop. Note their location when you find them.

In most cases, they are marked as any of the following:

• CLR_CMOS
• CLEAR CMOS
• CLEAR
• CLEAR RTC
• JCMOS1
• PWD
• PSWD
• PASSWORD
• PASSWD
• CLEARPWD
• CLR

3. Remove the jumper pinsfrom their current positions and place them in the two remaining empty positions. For example, in a computer’s motherboard, if 2 and 3 are covered, move them to 3 and 4.

Note: Laptops usually have DIP switches instead of jumpers , you just move the switch up or down.

4. Connect all cables as is and turn the system back on; check that the password has been cleared. Now, repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 and move the jumper back to its original position.

Method 4: Use third-party software to reset the BIOS password

How to remove or reset the BIOS password: Sometimes the password just protects the BIOS utility and doesn’t need to start Windows; in this case, you can try to use a third-party program to decrypt the password.

There are many third-party software on the Internet that can reset the BIOS password, such as CMOSPwd. You can download it from this website and follow the given instructions.

Method 5: Remove BIOS Password Using Command Prompt

How to remove or reset BIOS password? The last method is only for users who already have access to their system and wish to delete or reset CMOS settings and BIOS passwords.

1. Start by opening a command prompt on your computer. Just press Windows key + S on your computer, search for Command Prompt, right-click and select Run As Administrator.
2. At the command prompt, run the following commands one by one to reset the CMOS settings.

Remember to type each one carefully and hit enter before entering the next command.

debug

o 70 2E

o 71 FF

quit

3. After successfully executing all the above commands, restart the computer to reset all CMOS settingsand BIOS passwords.

In addition to the above method, there is another more time-consuming and tedious solution to BIOS annoyance. BIOS manufacturers always set some generic or default passwords, in this method you will have to try each of them and see what gets you in. Each manufacturer has a different set of passwords, and you can find most of them here: List of Common BIOS Passwords . Try the passwords listed according to your BIOS manufacturer’s name and let us and everyone know which one works for you in the comments section below.

However, if you are still unable to remove or reset the BIOS password , try contacting the manufacturer and explaining the problem .