How to Reset PC BIOS/CMOS

This guide details how you can reset your BIOS (or CMOS) to its default settings. This guide applies regardless of the Windows version you currently have installed on your computer: XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1andWindows 10.

You can follow the instructions from this guide for most major manufacturer of computers: Dell, HP, Asus, Acer, Lenovo, Toshiba, Samsung, and more.

If you need to reset BIOS to default values in order to fix a boot error, also use Easy Recovery Essentials (our recovery and repair disk) Automated Repair feature that can automatically find and fix boot errors on your computer.

Contents:-

1 How to Reset BIOS
- 1.1 Method #1: BIOS Menu
- 1.2 Method #2: Clear the jumper
- 1.3 Method #3: Replace the CMOS battery
2 More Information
- 2.1 Support Links
- 2.2 Applicable Systems

How to Reset BIOS

Method #1: BIOS Menu

By opening the BIOS menu and finding the Default Settings option, you can reset the BIOS directly from its menu.

To do so, follow these steps:

Restart your computer

Notice the key that you need to press at the first screen. This key opens the BIOS menu or “setup” utility.
For example, here’s how this looks like on many Dell PCs:Notice the key guide in the top-right corner.

This key is usually any of the following, depending on your computer manufacturer: Esc, Del, F2, F8, F12.

Find the option to reset the BIOS settings. This option is usually called any of the following:

Load Default

Load Fail-Safe Defaults

Load BIOS Defaults

Load Default Settings

Load Setup Default

Get Default Values

Save these changes

Exit BIOS

Method #2: Clear the jumper

Your computer’s motherboard has a special jumper that can clear the BIOS saved settings and revert them to their original values.

By clearing the jumper, you can also reset the password for the BIOS menu.

To do so, follow these steps:

Shutdown your computer

Flip the power switch so that the computer receives no power.

Make sure you’re grounded. Static discharges can damage your computer.

On the motherboard, find a jumper that’s named like any of the following. (This jumper is usually placed near the CMOS battery.)

CLEAR CMOS

CLEAR

CLR CMOS

CLR PWD

Set the jumper to the Clear/CLR position

Power on and start your computer

Once your PC has booted, turn it back off, move the CLR jumper back to its original position. Otherwise, each time you reboot, your settings (and clock) will automatically reset!

Method #3: Replace the CMOS battery

If Method #2 above
doesn’t work (your computer doesn’t have the mentioned jumper), you can also try to remove and replace the CMOS battery. This method works if your computer has a CMOS battery. Not all motherboards have that battery. To reset the BIOS by replacing the CMOS battery, follow these steps instead:

Shutdown your computer

Remove the power cord to make sure that your computer receives no power.

Make sure you’re grounded. Static discharges can damage your computer.

Find the battery on your motherboard