Updated: 08/02/2020 by Computer Hope
Sometimes, users encounter a password prompt at boot or the BIOS or CMOS setup is locked, as shown in the image below. If you do not know the BIOS password, you need to clear it. The following sections contain instructions on how to do so using multiple methods.
Note
The steps on this page are for a desktop computer. For a laptop computer, see: How to clear a laptop BIOS or CMOS password.
Note
The steps on this page will not help to clear or reset a Windows password. To reset a password in Windows, see: How to reset a lost or forgotten Windows password.
Clear using jumper (recommended)
Follow these steps to clear the BIOS or CMOS password using a hardware jumper.
Caution
When working inside a computer, be sure you're aware of the potential damage that can be caused by ESD.
On the computer motherboard, locate the BIOS clear or password jumper or DIP switch and change its position. This jumper is often labeled CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, JCMOS1, CLR, CLRPWD, PASSWD, PASSWORD, PSWD or PWD. To clear, remove the jumper from the two pins currently covered, and place it over the two remaining jumpers. An example of the various jumper positions is shown in the image. Some computers may also clear the password by keeping the jumper open (one or no pins covered).
What if I can't locate the CMOS password jumper?
The following list details the general locations for the CMOS jumper. It's important to realize that most motherboards have multiple different jumpers, so you need to make sure you're changing the correct jumper. If you cannot find the password jumper, consult your motherboard's documentation by looking in the manual or downloading it from the manufacturer's website.
- On the edge of the motherboard - Most jumpers are on the side of the motherboard for easy accessibility. Verify by looking at all visible edges of the motherboard.
- By the CMOS battery - Some manufactures place the jumper to clear the CMOS or BIOS password by the CMOS battery itself.
- By the processor - Some manufactures place the jumpers by the CPU of the computer.
- Under the keyboard or bottom of laptop - On a laptop, the DIP switch are under the keyboard or on the bottom of the laptop. It is usually located in a compartment such as the one containing memory. (Laptops usually use DIP switches, not jumpers.)
Once the appropriate jumper or DIP switch is located and toggled, the password should be cleared. Turn your machine on to verify that the password has bee reset. Once cleared, turn the computer off and return the jumper or DIP switch to its original position.
Remove CMOS battery
Removing the CMOS battery, like the one shown in the picture, causes the system to lose all CMOS settings, including the BIOS password. Locate and remove the CMOS battery from the motherboard for at least five minutes, then replace the battery and turn the computer back on.
Generic passwords
Try using generic CMOS passwords. It should be noted that many of these default passwords are for older motherboards and no longer work with newer machines.
Jump the CMOS solder beads
Older computers, especially older laptops, don't have jumpers or DIP switches. They require the user to jump a pair of solder beads on a circuit board. The identification and location of these solder beads can vary and if not available in the computer documentation, is only obtainable through the computer manufacturer.
If you've identified the solder beads, they can be jumped by placing a flat-head screwdriver over the two beads and leaving it on those beads while turning on the computer. Once the computer has booted, turn it off and then remove the screwdriver.
Contact manufacturer
If none of the previous sections resolved your issue, we recommend you contact the computer manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer for the steps on clearing the computer password.
FAQs
Can you clear an unknown BIOS password? ›
BIOS passwords cannot be recovered. If you have forgotten one of the passwords that is set in the BIOS, resetting the CMOS or NVRAM helps reset the BIOS to factory default settings and remove the passwords from the BIOS.
How do I clear the CMOS BIOS password? ›Exit the BIOS Setup utility and power down the server. For safety, remove the AC power cords. Remove the system top cover and move the Password Clear jumper back to pins 1-2 (default). Re-install the system top cover and reattach the AC power cords.
How do you bypass a CMOS password on a laptop? ›The CMOS settings on most systems are buffered by a small battery that is attached to the motherboard. (It looks like a small watch battery). If you unplug the PC and remove the battery for 10-15 minutes, the CMOS may reset itself and the password should be blank.
How to bypass HP BIOS password? ›A forgotten BIOS password cannot be reset by HP. HP is committed to the security and privacy of our customers. To resolve a forgotten BIOS password issue, a system board replacement is required, and additional customer costs apply. For more information, go to HP Worldwide Limited Warranty and Technical Support.
How do you unlock the hidden BIOS? ›Enter BIOS Settings. Press the Esc key repeatedly until the Startup menu opens. Power Off/ Restart your Computer. Power off or restart your computer again, and this time press F9.
How do you wipe a BIOS? ›- Power on or restart the workstation.
- Enter the BIOS by tapping either the right or left bottom of the screen.
- Tap Advanced, and then tap Special Configuration.
- Tap Factory Recovery.
- Select Enabled from drop-down menu.
- Tap Home.
- Tap Save and Exit.
When trying to access the Intel Bios Setup Utility, the computer will prompt for a default password. This default password is openly available to gain access to and change your Intel Bios settings. This default password is “Admin password” or “Supervisor password”.
What is BIOS administrator password? ›A BIOS password is authentication information that is sometimes required to log into a computer's basic input/output system (BIOS) before the machine will boot up. BIOS is the program a computer's microprocessor uses to control the computer's initial boot sequence and hardware initialization.
Can you unlock laptop BIOS? ›You can attempt to get a 5 to 8 character code from the computer, which can clear the BIOS password. As the computer is booting, press F1 , F2 , or Del key to enter BIOS setup.
Can you boot from USB without BIOS password? ›If USB boot is disabled there is no way to boot from it without entering the bios. If you don't have the bios password you have to contact the support of the manufacturer of the laptop, they should be able to help you. It might be necessary to provide proof that you actually own the laptop though.
What is the default HP BIOS administrator password? ›
The default administrator or root password for all HP-provided Build Plans is: ChangeMe123! CAUTION: HP strongly recommends changing this password before deploying to any servers.
Can you bypass admin password? ›To bypass Windows 10 admin password, you need to use the created password reset disk before forgetting the password. Having a password reset disk allows you to access your computer by resetting your password after forgetting it.
Does HP have a default BIOS password? ›Today, there is no default BIOS password with HP laptop. If you're using a personal device, a BIOS password will need to be enabled first. But if your device is asking for a password, someone has manually turned on the function. You can remove the BIOS password from your personal device by resetting your BIOS.
How do I force open BIOS? ›To boot to UEFI or BIOS:
Boot the PC, and press the manufacturer's key to open the menus. Common keys used: Esc, Delete, F1, F2, F10, F11, or F12.
A BIOS attack does not require any vulnerability on the target system -- once an attacker gains administrative-level privileges, he can flash the BIOS over the Internet with malware-laden firmware.
How do I force Windows to open BIOS? ›- Turn the computer on.
- If you see an invitation to press the F12 key, do so.
- Boot options will appear along with the ability to enter Setup.
- Using the arrow key, scroll down and select <Enter Setup>.
- Press Enter.
- The Setup (BIOS) screen will appear.
- If this method does not work, repeat it, but hold F12.
In the BIOS menu of your computer, use the arrow keys to navigate between individual menu items. To reset the computer, select the menu item labeled “Setup Default” or similar. This may vary from one system to another. The option could also be labeled “Load Setup Defaults” or “Reset to Default”.
How do I clear my CMOS without jumper? ›- Take out the battery gently and put it aside for about 10 minutes or longer. ...
- Re-insert the battery to the battery holder.
- Connect power cord to MB again and turn on power.
Boot into the BIOS and reset it to the factory settings. If you are able to boot into the BIOS, go ahead and do so. Locate the option to "Load Setup Defaults", "Restore Factory Settings", or something similar. Select this option to reset the BIOS.
How can I access BIOS password? ›- To get in the BIOS setup, boot the computer and press F2 (The option comes up on the upper left hand conner of the screen)
- Highlight System Security then press Enter.
- Highlight System Password then press Enter and put in the password. ...
- System Password will change from "not enabled" to "enabled".
What is backdoor BIOS password? ›
Backdoor BIOS password is a set of passwords, which are master passwords provided by BIOS Vendor. These passwords are generic, and they are specific to manufacturers. In other words, all the manufacturers maintain a set of master passwords that can be used irrespective of whatever password the user has set.
How do I remove a boot password? ›- Shut down the laptop. ...
- Press the key required to enter the BIOS area of your laptop. ...
- Enter the current BIOS password for the laptop when prompted to do so.
- Click the "Password" or "Security" tab in the BIOS setup menu, and then click the "Supervisor Password" or "BIOS Password" option.
If you have a newer and fairly high-end motherboard, they often have a dedicated “Clear CMOS” button on either the rear I/O near the USB ports or on the motherboard itself, usually along the edges of the board. To use it, power the system on and then press the reset button.
How to reset BIOS with power button? ›Press your power button.
Press and hold the power button on your computer for about 10-15 seconds to discharge any remaining power stored in the capacitors. By discharging the power, the CMOS memory will reset, thereby resetting your BIOS.
Clearing the CMOS on your motherboard will reset your BIOS settings to their factory defaults, the settings that the motherboard maker decided were the ones that most people would use. One reason to clear CMOS is to help troubleshoot or solve certain computer problems or hardware compatibility issues.
How do I get into BIOS as administrator? ›During startup, press and hold or continuously press F2. Enter the BIOS startup password on the displayed screen as prompted, and press Enter. Enter the BIOS administrator password (BIOS configuration password) as prompted. You can then enter the BIOS Setup Utility screen.
How do I force boot from USB BIOS? ›- Press the Power button on your computer.
- During the initial startup screen, press ESC, F1, F2, F8, or F10. ...
- When you enter BIOS Setup, the setup utility page will appear.
- Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, select the BOOT tab. ...
- Move USB to be first in the boot sequence.
After your PC restarts, you'll see a list of options. Select 4 or press F4 to start your PC in Safe Mode. Or if you'll need to use the internet, select 5 or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
What is the default password of admin user? ›#2) Generally, for most of the routers, the default username and password is “admin” and “admin”.
How can I remove administrator password without any software? ›Once you get to the Windows login screen, hit the Shift key all the time and Command Prompt window will show up. Type command "net user to replace the username and password with the combination you want. After all these, Close the Command Prompt and you should be able to log on to Windows with your new password.
How do I unlock my built in administrator account? ›
- Go to Windows search and enter cmd in the search field.
- Under Command Prompt, select Run as Administrator.
- Type net user administrator /active:yes and then press enter.
- On the sign-in screen, press and hold the shift key, click the power icon , select Restart, and continue pressing the shift key until the Choose an option screen displays.
- Click Troubleshoot.
- Click Reset this PC, and then click Remove everything.
Select Setup BIOS Administrator Password. 4. Set the password of minimum eight characters long. 5.
Can laptop BIOS password be removed? ›Select Recovery Option → Refresh/to restore BIOS settings → System Information → Select Recovery Options → Reset BIOS password. The laptop will now enter the BIOS settings menu.
Can BIOS be erased? ›Yes it's possible. How would vary by motherboard, but any motherboard capable of BIOS updates (should be all of them) is capable of updating to nothing. Easiest way is to desolder the BIOS chip and install a blank chip, if you consider that erasing.
What is default BIOS password? ›This default password is “Admin password” or “Supervisor password”. It is important that users change this default password so they can prevent others from changing Intel Bios settings without their permission.