How to Reset Remove BIOS or CMOS Password

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Many users set up a password for gaining access to the BIOS setup. To prevent unauthorized access to the BIOS setup.

This sometimes becomes necessary, because a wrong BIOS set-up may make your computer unbootable.

In the event you forget your password or if you have purchased a second-hand Computer (which has a password for the BIOS settings), the moment you try to access the BIOS or CMOS setup you will get the following warning screen, as shown below.

“ Setup is locked. You must enter the admin password here to change any settings”

Reset or Remove BIOS Password

Unless you enter the correct password you can not access the BIOS setup screen. In such a scenario how to reset or remove the BIOS or CMOS password.

NOTE:  The procedure described here is for Desktop computers only.

There are two methods by which you can clear the BIOS or CMOS password. The First Method is recommended and safer.

Two methods to reset or remove BIOS or CMOS password

Method 1:Clear Password using the JUMPER ( Recommended)

Disconnect your computer from the mains, ground yourself properly before touching the motherboard to avoid the potential damage that can occur due to ESD (Electrostatic discharges).

To prevent ESD, just make sure all electrical cords are unplugged from the computer, or you can use an ESD wrist strap or a grounding mat.

If you do not have access to these Just touch the unpainted metallic surface of the chassis continuously while performing the procedure.

Open the computer casing cover and on the motherboard locate the BIOS clear or Password jumper.

Different motherboard manufacturer has different ways of labeling this jumper. This jumper is often labeled as CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, CLR, CLR_CMOS, CLRPWD, PASSWD, PASSWORD, PSWD or PWD as shown in this image.

CMOS jumper

In this Image, the jumper location is labeled as CLR_CMOS. This jumper switch has three PINS labeled as number 1, 2, 3.

By default, the jumper connects the PIN number 1 and 2. This is the normal position of the jumper. In the Image shown here the free Pin on the left is pin number 3.

To reset or remove the BIOS or CMOS password, what you have to do is to take out the jumper and place it connecting the pin numbers 2 and 3.

The jumpers are basically connectors only, so by placing them over pin numbers 2 and 3 we are connecting these two pins.

Once you have done that, just turn on your computer, the password will be cleared. Once the password is cleared.

Disconnect your computer from the mains and place the Jumper back on its default position, that is connecting pin numbers 1 and 2.

Method 2: Remove the CMOS Battery

Removing the CMOS battery from the motherboard as shown in the picture below will make the CMOS chip lose all settings including the password since the chip is powered by the CMOS battery when the system is not running.

Reset or Remove BIOS PasswordFirst locate the CMOS battery on the motherboard, then with a Screwdriver gently take out the Battery, remove it from the motherboard for at least 10 minutes.

After that put the battery back on the motherboard and power on the Computer.

All BIOS settings will be cleared, including your Computers Clock will be reset, you will need to set it again.

I personally would not advise this method, because many a time there is a chance of damaging the motherboard when attempting to take out the CMOS battery since some manufacturers tend to include clamps to keep the CMOS battery in place.

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