Reset Forgotten Laptop BIOS or UEFI Password

Last Updated: January 1, 2024

Let’s dive into the BIOS password jungle—a crucial shield for our desktop or laptop fortresses. This password is no mere gatekeeper; it’s the superhero safeguarding our BIOS or UEFI configuration, preventing unwanted meddling like a bodyguard at an exclusive party.

But hey, even the best security system has its oops moments.

Picture this: you’re locked out of your own BIOS because, well, you kinda forgot the password. It happens, right? Suddenly, gaining access to those vital system configurations feels like cracking a secret code.

Now, when life throws you a “forgot BIOS password” curveball, you’ve got a few moves up your sleeve. Cue the IT department heroes or dialing up the manufacturer’s service center—the cavalry to reset that pesky password and reclaim control.

But here’s the kicker: Those methods aren’t a walk in the park. Nope, it’s more like a marathon. It demands your time, effort, and, wait for it, your hard-earned cash! And guess what? It’s not even covered by your laptop’s warranty. Surprise, surprise!

So, welcome to a rock-solid tutorial designed to tackle those pesky locked BIOS or UEFI password concerns head-on. I’ve got your back—I’ll take you through a series of steps and savvy tricks that’ll help you bid farewell to that annoying system password hitch on your laptop using some nifty techniques and sneaky backdoor passwords.

While these solutions are more on the tech-savvy side, I’ve gone the extra mile to simplify the procedures and explanations. My aim? To make these instructions a breeze, even for those who aren’t tech wizards, so everyone can handle this issue independently.

But, before you charge into the 3^rd & 4^th methods laid out in this tutorial, it’s crucial to pause and think about reaching out to your laptop’s customer support team. Having a chat with their tech-savvy folks could reveal the manufacturer’s recommended password reset methods. If their advice fits your situation, it’s smart to follow their lead. But if their suggestions fall short, no sweat. This tutorial’s got you covered with comprehensive steps to fix that BIOS password hassle—just remember to take it slow and steady.

• Reset Forgotten Desktop BIOS or UEFI Password

So Let’s Get Started;

There are four distinct methods available for resetting your laptop’s BIOS/UEFI password, outlined as follows:

1. Resetting Using Backdoor Passwords
2. Resetting Using Cracking Software
3. Resetting By Removing the CMOS Battery
4. Resetting By Shorting the BIOS Jumper

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Method #1 – Resetting By Backdoor Password

Some laptops come with pre-set backdoor passwords courtesy of the BIOS manufacturer. These passwords act as a fail-safe, intended to help you access the BIOS menu when you’ve forgotten your custom password. They’re like a safety net, allowing users to regain entry to the BIOS Menu in case their original password is no longer accessible.

Below are a few backdoor passwords provided by the BIOS manufacturer:

1. Award BIOS: AWARD_SW KDD / awardj256 / Award SW / ZBAAACA / AWARD_SW / J64 / HLTZAA / ADA / AWARD?SW / j332 / Condo / ZJAAADC / AWARD SW / j322 / CONCAT / Djonet / AWKWARD / 01322222 / TTPTHA / ALFAROME / Awkward / 589589 / aPAf / ALLy / 0132222 / 589721
2. AMI BIOS: AMI / HEWITT / LKWPETER / AAAMMMIII / RAND / A.M.I. / BIOS / AMI?SW / CONDO / PASSWORD / AMI_SW / AMIBIOS
3. PHOENIX BIOS: Phoenix / ALFAROME / BIOSstar / PHOENIX / BIOSTAR / Cmos / CMO / BIOStar / LKWPETER / BIOS / 12345 / 12345678
   
4. BIOS PASSWORDS BY MANUFACTURER:

S.No.	Manufacturer	Password
1.	VOBIS & IBM	merlin
2.	Dell	Dell
3.	Biostar	Biostar
4.	Compaq	Compaq
5.	IWill	iwill
6.	Jetway	spooml
7.	Siemens	SKY_FOX
8.	Toshiba	TOSHIBA BIOS
9.	IBM	APTIVA BIOS

Method #2 – Resting By Password Cracking Software

Have you heard about “Hiren’s BootCD 15.2”, a free bootable utility tool that can help remove BIOS passwords? What makes Hiren’s Boot CD special is its bootable ISO file, packed with a range of diagnostic tools tailor-made to tackle such problems.

So, just get your hands on this tool, by heading over to the following link: hirensbootcd.org/download/ and download the “Hiren’s BootCD 15.2” ISO file.

Once the download finishes, unzip the compressed file and extract its contents into a designated folder. Inside this folder, you’ll find an ISO file. To proceed, you’ll need another utility software that can create a bootable flash drive from this ISO file. This step is crucial to harness the power of Hiren’s BootCD on your system.

• How To Make Bootable USB Flash Drive – Explained
• What Is Boot, Booting, Or Bootable Devices?
• Make USB Flash Drive Bootable by “Rufus”

Once you’ve successfully made a bootable flash drive using the Hirens BootCD ISO file, the next step is to boot your computer from this flash drive. You can do this using a feature commonly known as the “Boot Menu”, found within your computer’s BIOS settings.

The “Boot Menu” is a specific feature tucked inside the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) of your computer. It lets you pick a boot device other than the default hard drive. This menu shows a list of all available bootable devices connected to your computer, like USB flash drives, external hard drives, DVDs, and the like.

• Quick Boot A USB or CD/DVD Directly From The Boot Menu -Explained

To boot a flash drive using the Boot Menu:

1. Power on your computer and keep an eye out for a brief moment before the operating system starts loading. This is when you can access the BIOS or Boot Menu. The key to enter this menu varies based on your computer’s manufacturer—common keys include Esc, F2, F8, F10, F12, or Del. Look for an on-screen prompt indicating which key to press.
2. Press the appropriate key during startup to access the Boot Menu. This action will show a list of available bootable devices.
3. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate the Boot Menu and select your USB flash drive or the bootable drive containing the Hirens BootCD.
4. Press Enter to confirm your selection. The computer will then boot from the chosen device, loading the contents of the Hirens BootCD.

Once the USB drive boots successfully, you’ll be greeted by the Hirens Boot CD menu on your screen. Here, you’ll find a multitude of options to explore. For progression, opt for the “Dos Programs” selection. This specific choice unfurls an array of invaluable tools and functionalities meticulously crafted to assist in diverse system-related tasks and troubleshooting endeavors.

After entering the “Dos Programs” section within the Hirens Boot CD menu, continue by navigating through the available options. To find the “BIOS/CMOS tools”, keep selecting the “Next…” option until you cycle through the menu and arrive at that specific section.

The “BIOS/CMOS tools” section is crucial for dealing with BIOS-related settings and password management. Once you reach this section, enter it to access a range of dedicated tools specifically designed for managing and altering BIOS or UEFI configurations.

When you opt for the “BIOS Cracker 5.0 (cmospwd)” tool, brace yourself for a screen that might throw a few curveballs as the software gears up. During this phase, be prepared for a barrage of queries about language preferences or other settings. Simply tap the “Enter” key like there’s no tomorrow to maneuver through these prompts.

As you wade through these prompts, expect messages nudging you to “Press enter key to continue”. Keep hitting that Enter key as advised. The software will eventually go full throttle, leading up to a crucial moment where it’ll work its magic and reset your laptop’s BIOS password.

Once the software wraps up, it typically gives you a high-five by signaling its completion. It’s the golden rule to give your computer a reboot at this juncture. After the reboot, double-check if the BIOS or UEFI password has bid its farewell successfully. If the password stubbornly lingers despite your valiant attempt, it might be time to delve into alternative solutions provided below to tackle this password conundrum.

Method #3 – Resting By Removing C-MOS Battery

The heart of your laptop’s inner workings lies in the BIOS/UEFI Chip, storing all those intricate configurations and settings that make your device tick. This chip is delicately soldered onto the motherboard, holding the reins to these crucial settings.

Enter the CMOS Battery, a VIP in this setup. Its main gig involves feeding constant power to the BIOS/UEFI Chip, even when your laptop hits the off switch. This power keeps the BIOS/UEFI on its toes, holding onto vital memories like system date and time setups, boot preferences, and most notably, any password you set up for top-notch security.

Now, if you yank out that CMOS battery or let it take a breather for more than 5 seconds, it’s like pulling the rug from under the BIOS’ feet. The sudden power cut kicks the BIOS/UEFI into reset mode, wiping out all those stored settings—including your prized password—back to square one. It’s basically hitting the reset button, saying adieu to your custom settings, and going back to how things were when your laptop first rolled off the assembly line.

So, Let’s See How To Do That

First things first, before meddling with that CMOS battery, make sure your laptop is snoozing, not just taking a nap – completely powered down, no residual electrical jolts running through its veins. And yeah, unplug that power adaptor to cut off any juice flowing to the laptop.

Now, if your laptop’s battery is a free bird (removable, that is), it’s showtime for some battery handling. Hunt for that latch or grab the manual for the step-by-step on safely unclipping it.

But if your laptop’s playing hide-and-seek with its battery, get ready for a bit of a backstage tour. Crack open the back case – yeah, the whole shebang. Once you’re in, delicately sever that battery’s connection from the motherboard. Heads up: every laptop’s a different beast, so precision’s key here. For those laptops with batteries that stick around permanently, getting to and cutting that battery tie needs a surgeon’s touch to avoid any internal mix-ups.

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To track down that CMOS battery, step one’s popping the lid off your laptop’s back panel. That’s where it usually hangs out. But if it’s playing hide-and-seek or hiding under layers, you might need to go full-on detective mode. That means disassembling your laptop to give it a thorough scavenger hunt.

The CMOS battery’s sneaky and can be snugly sitting somewhere on the motherboard. You might need to unscrew some bits or even take the whole thing apart to get eyes on it.

It could be super helpful to check out a laptop disassembly tutorial on YouTube that matches your specific laptop model. Watching one of these tutorials can give you a solid roadmap for taking apart your laptop, making it much clearer where that sneaky CMOS battery is hiding inside your device.

Don’t forget to bring an anti-static wristband into the mix – it’s a must for this journey. Strapping on an anti-static wristband is a top recommendation. This little guy stops static electricity from building up on your body and zapping those delicate electronic parts while you’re getting hands-on with your laptop.

• What Is The Importance Of Anti-Static Wrist Bands?

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Once you’ve found that CMOS battery, it’s time to bid it adieu for about 5 seconds. You can use a couple of twisters or a screwdriver to loosen the battery chip from its snug spot.

If your CMOS Battery is all soldered up to a wire that eventually plugs into a connector, there’s a smarter way to handle it. Instead of messing directly with the battery, put your focus on disconnecting that connected plug. I’m only saying this because sometimes you might see the CMOS battery right there, but its wire goes all the way to the other side of the motherboard. If you try to yank out the visible battery in these situations, you might accidentally mess things up.

If you find out that your CMOS Battery is directly soldered onto the motherboard, a different game plan is needed. To reset the CMOS settings in this case, you’ll have to do some desoldering and soldering.

Desoldering means skillfully melting and removing the solder that’s holding the battery onto the motherboard. Once the battery’s desoldered, it’s disconnected from the motherboard’s power source, basically hitting the reset button for the CMOS settings. Then, you’ve got to solder the battery back onto the motherboard to get things back on track and let the CMOS do its job properly.

This whole process needs a steady hand and know-how in soldering and desoldering tricks to ensure that the battery gets firmly reattached without wrecking any other parts on the motherboard. Doing this job precisely is super important to avoid causing any damage to the motherboard or the CMOS battery, making sure the CMOS settings reset properly.

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This is what a soldered CMOS battery looks like:

Method #4 – Resting By Shorting BIOS Jumper

Another way to potentially reset the BIOS/UEFI is by using the BIOS Jumper on the laptop’s motherboard.

This method involves dealing with a specific jumper or a set of pins on the motherboard to reset the BIOS settings. When you short those BIOS Jumpers with the help of a tweezer or a screwdriver, it basically interrupts the normal operation of the BIOS, making it reset to its default setup.

But here’s the deal: you’ve got to be super careful. Check out the laptop’s documentation or the motherboard manual to pinpoint exactly where that BIOS jumper is hanging out and to learn the correct steps for shorting it. If you mess up with the jumper, there’s a chance you could cause some serious damage to the motherboard or other important components.

So, Let’s See How To Do That

First off, your main job is to find that CMOS jumper, which looks like some soldered bits or contacts on the motherboard. Usually, you’ll spot this jumper hanging around near the RAM slots, and it might have a label like “CMOS” or something hinting at its link to CMOS settings.

You can search online to find the specific part number of your laptop’s motherboard. With this part number, you can then look for the circuit diagram or schematic diagram of that particular motherboard model. This diagram will help you locate the BIOS circuit, which can assist in identifying the relevant tracks or connections.

However, it’s super important to be extremely cautious. Avoid shorting any soldered bits unless you’re completely certain about the correct procedure. Messing up by shorting the wrong connections could potentially wreck the motherboard or other important parts, causing serious issues. So, it’s best to steer clear of messing with the soldered bits unless you have clear and verified instructions from a trustworthy source or professional guidance. It’s always better to play it safe than risk accidentally damaging your laptop’s vital components.

When none of the methods have managed to crack the BIOS password issue, the next move is to get your laptop to a qualified pro. These experts have the skills needed to do advanced stuff like flashing the BIOS or maybe even swapping out the BIOS chip.

That’s all for now, Thanks for sticking with the article! 🙂

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