If during the use of the computer we notice a problem of hardware compatibility or we have set a password for the BIOS / UEFI that we no longer remember, we must not despair, since on the computer everything can be solved using some special procedures. In these cases we can restore easily from the BIOS / UEFI (if accessible) or we will have to open the case of the computer or the rear doors of a notebook to access some contacts or a buffer battery, so as to delete the CMOS memory, which stores the BIOS / UEFI password at startup and any hardware settings that may have changed from the same menus. In this guide we will then show you how to do a BIOS / UEFI reset using the various possible methods (including deleting the CMOS memory), so that you can restore the PC boot to factory conditions.
Reset the BIOS / UEFI
The procedures themselves are not difficult to apply, especially the first (which should really be within everyone's reach). If we cannot restore the BIOS / UEFI via software, we will have to act directly on the motherboard, taking care to remove the electric current and to remove the panel of the desktop case or one of the rear doors of the laptops.Simple reset from BIOS / UEFI
In most cases, it is possible to clear the BIOS / UEFI settings directly from their menus, restoring the default values via software. To do this we then access the BIOS / UEFI of our computer by restarting it and pressing a precise combination of keys, such as those visible in our guide How to access the BIOS on computers of all brands .Once the special BIOS menu (present on old computers) is opened, we use the directional arrows to go to the Exit section, select the item Reset To Default, Load Factory Defaults, Clear BIOS Settings, Load Setup Defaults, select Yes then press the Enter key on the keyboard to clear the CMOS memory and restore the motherboard's initial settings.
The computer will reboot and, upon next boot, load the BIOS default settings, so as to immediately resolve any hardware problems.
If we have a motherboard with UEFI, open the advanced settings, go to the Save and Exit menu (also called Exit, Save & Exit or similar names), select the Load default settings item (also called and Reset To Default, Load Factory Defaults and Load Setup Defaults ), select Yes or Yes then confirm with the mouse or with the Enter key on the keyboard.
Exactly as seen in the BIOS, the computer will reboot and load the UEFI factory settings, so as to restore any hardware problems.
Reset via CMOS Jumper
If the BIOS / UEFI is not accessible or we have set a security password that we don't remember, one of the advanced methods to clear the CMOS memory is to open the computer case and find the motherboard CMOS Jumper . Many motherboards have a blue jumper that can be moved in a certain way to clear the CMOS settings.
The exact position of the jumper can be found in the manual of the motherboard or the computer, but it is very similar among all the motherboards: we remove the computer's electrical socket, we identify the jumper also helping with the writing on the motherboard (of the CLEAR CMOS type, CLEAR, CLR CMOS, PASSWORD, or CLR PWD ), set the jumper in the " clear " position for a few seconds, then put it back in its position. Now let's close everything, reattach the power outlet and turn the computer back on to verify the correct deletion of the CMOS memory.
PLEASE NOTE : on some motherboards there is no jumper to move, but we will find two close contacts to "short-circuit" using the tip of a screwdriver, to be held between the two contacts for at least 10 seconds.
Reset via CMOS backup battery
If the motherboard does not have any Clear CMOS jumper or we do not want to touch the jumper or chips, you can clear the CMOS settings by removing and replacing the CMOS battery which provides the power necessary to maintain the BIOS / UEFI settings.
The battery is located on the motherboard and is round, flat and silver; to remove it, just lever the contact that holds it firmly on one side, so that it comes up and can be easily removed. After removal, wait at least 1 minute before putting it back.
On laptops the CMOS battery is completely similar only that it could be slightly more difficult to access it, since we would have to remove the rear panels (usually the CMOS battery is present in the same door where the RAM are housed).
If we do not find it we will have to disassemble the entire rear panel of the notebook, not within the reach of any user.
Conclusions
Performing a BIOS / UEFI reset is fairly simple from a software point of view, but it can also be simple to apply on the hardware side, working on the right jumper or on the CMOS buffer battery. Since removing the CMOS battery can lead to unexpected and even fatal errors for the motherboard, we perform these operations only if there is a valid reason (a computer hardware problem or the need to reset the BIOS passwrod), avoiding play with the circuits of the motherboard or with the jumpers on it.In another guide we have seen what the BIOS is for and what it does on a computer, so to learn what this important software component of the motherboard and the computer does. If the hardware problem is not resolved, we can try updating the BIOS / UEFI by reading our guide on How to update the BIOS / UEFI of the PC .
