Good afternoon.

Many problems on a laptop can be solved if you reset the BIOS settings to factory settings (sometimes they are also called optimal or safe).

In general, this is done quite easily, it will be more difficult if you set a password on the BIOS and when you turn on the laptop it will ask for this same password. Here you can’t do without disassembling the laptop...

In this article I wanted to look at both options.

1. Reset laptop BIOS settings to factory settings

To enter the BIOS settings, the keys are usually used F2 or Delete(sometimes F10 key). It depends on the model of your laptop.

Finding out which button to press is quite easy: reboot the laptop (or turn it on) and look at the first welcome window (it always indicates a button to enter the Bios settings). You can also use the documentation that came with the laptop upon purchase.

And so, we will assume that you have entered the Bios settings. Next we are interested in Exit tab. By the way, in laptops of different brands (ASUS, ACER, HP, SAMSUNG, LENOVO) the names of the Bios sections are almost the same, so there is no point in taking screenshots for each model...

Setting up BIOS on an ACER Packard Bell laptop.

Next, in the Exit section, select a line like “ Load Setup Defaults"(i.e. loading default settings (or default settings)). You will then need to confirm in a pop-up window that you want to reset your settings.

And all that remains is to exit the BIOS while saving the settings made: select Exit Saving Changes(first line, see screenshot below).

Load Setup Defaults - loading default settings. ACER Packard Bell.

By the way, in 99% of cases with the settings reset, the laptop will boot normally. But sometimes a small error occurs and the laptop cannot find where to boot from (i.e. from what device: flash drive, HDD, etc.).

To fix it, go to Bios again and go to the section Boot .

Here you need to change the tab Boot Mode :UEFI change to Legacy, then exit the Bios saving the settings. After rebooting, the laptop should boot normally from hard drive.

Changing the Boot Mode function.

2. How to reset BIOS settings if it requires a password?

Now let's imagine a more serious situation: it so happened that you set a password for the Bios, and now you have forgotten it (or your sister, brother, friend has set a password and is calling you for help...).

Turn on your laptop (in the example, an ACER laptop) and see the following.

ACER. The BIOS asks you to enter a password to use the laptop.

To all brute force attempts, the laptop responds with an error and after several incorrect passwords are entered, it simply turns off...

In this case, you cannot do without removing the back cover of the laptop.

You only need to do three things:

  • disconnect the laptop from all devices and generally remove all cords that are connected to it (headphones, power cord, mouse, etc.);
  • remove the battery;
  • remove the cover protecting the RAM and HDD laptop (the design of all laptops is different, sometimes you may need to completely remove the back cover).

Overturned laptop on the table. You need to remove: the battery, the HDD and RAM cover.

Laptop without battery, hard drive and RAM.

There are two contacts under the RAM strips (they are also signed JCMOS) - these are what we need. Now do the following:

  • close these contacts with a screwdriver (and do not open them until you turn off the laptop. This requires patience and accuracy);
  • connect the power cord to the laptop;
  • turn on the laptop and wait about a second. 20-30;
  • turn off the laptop.

Now you can connect the RAM, hard drive and battery.

Contacts that need to be closed to reset the BIOS settings. Usually these contacts are labeled with the word CMOS.

ACER laptop bios has been reset.

We need to say a few words about the “pitfalls”:

  • not all laptops will have two contacts, some will have three, and to reset you need to move the jumper from one position to another and wait a few minutes;
  • instead of jumpers there may be a zero button: just press it with a pencil or pen and wait a few seconds;
  • You can also reset the Bios if you remove the battery from the laptop motherboard for a while (the battery looks like a small tablet).

That's all for today. Don't forget your passwords!

BIOS is the most important component of a computer, which takes on many important tasks: Responsible for checking computer devices, determining basic settings, preparing and launching the operating system. If problems arise with the BIOS, the most rational way to fix them is to perform a full reset.
The user may need to reset the BIOS for various reasons. For example, you visited the BIOS settings and made a lot of changes that are not in better side affected the performance of the computer. In addition, there are times when the BIOS refuses to start, so the first thing you need to do is follow the procedure discussed below.

We reset the BIOS settings

Resetting the BIOS will return it to its factory state, removing all user and other settings. Often, this step allows you to solve many computer problems.

There are three ways to reset to factory settings: through the BIOS menu, through the computer's motherboard, and using the motherboard's battery. Each method will lead to the same result, but their implementation is fundamentally different.

Resetting BIOS through its menu


Resetting BIOS via motherboard

This method is suitable if in your case the BIOS does not start. It is not particularly complicated, however, here we will need to look under the body system unit.

Resetting the BIOS via the battery on the motherboard

The third method is to return the BIOS to factory settings, which will also require “implementation” under the system unit case.

Each of the presented methods is guaranteed to cope with the task. Which method to use is up to you to decide, based on the type of problem, your skills and preferences.

BIOS is a separate firmware built into the motherboard, which is responsible for a fairly wide range of tasks: it determines some computer settings, controls connected devices, checks the system for functionality, starts the operating system, and so on. If, for example, the BIOS settings were seriously changed as a result of careless actions, the reset procedure will help solve the problem.

Resetting the settings allows you to return the BIOS to its factory state. This procedure will be useful in cases where the computer does not work correctly, refuses to start the operating system and exhibits many other problems with its functioning.

Resetting BIOS settings

Fortunately, there are three options for resetting the BIOS, each of which can be useful in one situation or another.

Method 1: Perform a reset through settings

This method is the easiest to implement, but it may not always help, because if the computer refuses to enter the BIOS, you will have to use one of the methods given below.

  • First, you will need to enter the BIOS. To do this, you will need to turn on the computer and, at the earliest stage of system startup, start pressing the key responsible for entering the BIOS. As a rule, in the vast majority of cases this is F1, F2 or Del. However, a completely different key or even a whole combination can act as a hot button.
  • Once you have entered the BIOS, you can proceed to search for the required partition.

    In older versions of the BIOS, you will need to find the section that mentions the word "Defaults", for example, this item may be called "Load Optimized Defaults"(performing a reset to optimized settings) or "Load Fail-Safe Defaults"(performing a factory reset to fix computer problems). Having found the required item, select it, and then confirm your intention to start the procedure.

    In more recent BIOS versions, which are usually found on laptops, the required reset item may be located in the exit section, that is "Exit". As a rule, this item is called "Load Setup Defaults".

    And finally, in modern versions of BIOS UEFI which can be controlled not only using the keyboard, but also using the mouse, you should find the item "Load Defaults", which can also be located in the section "Exit" or "Save and Exit".

  • Once you start the procedure, you will need to wait for it to finish. We draw your attention to the fact that at this moment, power outages are unacceptable, since a sudden shutdown of the computer can lead to dire consequences.

    • Method 2: Perform a reset using a jumper

    Another method provided for resetting the BIOS, which involves opening the system unit in order to gain access to the motherboard.

  • Completely de-energize the computer by unplugging it from the network, and then open the system case. As a rule, for our task it is enough to remove the side cover of the case. Pay attention to the motherboard - there should be a jumper on it called "CMOS", which will allow us to reset the settings.
  • This jumper (also called a jumper) must be rotated to another position for 5-10 seconds, and then returned to its previous position. If the jumper has only two contacts, you will need to switch it to the opposite one. If the jumper has three contacts, the jumper should be set to the second position.

  • While the jumper is in a different position, press the power button for a few seconds (five is enough), and then release the button and return the jumper to its original position.

  • Reassemble your computer and start it up. From this point on, resetting the BIOS settings can be considered complete.

    • Method 3: Perform a reset using a battery

    There is a special battery on the motherboard that stores the BIOS settings. Removing and reinstalling this battery will allow you to reset all parameters to factory settings.

  • To perform this procedure, we, again, need to gain access to the insides of the system unit. To do this, turn off the power to the computer, remove the system unit case and find the BIOS battery on the motherboard (it is usually located next to the CMOS jumper).
  • Near the battery, press the latch, after which the battery should come unfastened. After 10 seconds, return the battery to its original position.

    Please note that some motherboards are equipped with non-removable batteries. If the battery does not have a latch, you should not “rip out” the battery - just this method doesn't suit you.

  • Reassemble your computer and start it up. BIOS reset is complete.

    • All three methods are effective. Which one to choose is up to you, based on the state of your computer and your capabilities.

    Every Windows computer has a so-called BIOS or UEFI (the latter is often called BIOS for convenience). This is a special section where low-level settings of your computer are stored. More details about the concepts of BIOS and UEFI, as well as their differences, are described in the article “”. The same instructions will focus your attention on the procedure reset BIOS or factory reset.

    Why do a BIOS reset?

    There may be several reasons for such procedures. For example, after installing new hardware, you observe unstable operation of your computer. Also, resetting the BIOS may be necessary if you have incorrectly overclocked the PC components (processor or RAM, for example) or encountered other errors. For example, the computer is stuck on a message or reports some other problems. Resetting the BIOS is your backup mechanism to ensure that after any low-level changes to your computer's settings, you can restore everything to its previous working state without major headaches.

    BIOS chips on the motherboard. In this case, a primary and a backup are used, which are necessary in case another configuration is loaded.

    In many cases, resetting the BIOS helps solve a large number of problems. At the same time, do not forget that restoring the default BIOS settings is not a panacea. Consider this a starting point when you need to diagnose problems that can't be fixed within Windows itself. Software bugs or instabilities are fixed in operating system, and when you suspect a hardware problem, you should first start with the BIOS.

    How to reset BIOS to factory settings

    There are several methods to reset BIOS settings. This is like a software reset (the computer is turned on, you are inside the BIOS and you give the computer a command to reset the settings software motherboard) and a hardware reset (the computer is turned off and you reset BIOS settings by physically manipulating the motherboard components). Both methods are equally good, it’s just that the first one is not always possible. You can reset the BIOS even if you have forgotten its password or the computer does not turn on at all.

    Resetting the BIOS through the settings menu

    Start your computer and before you even start Windows boot press the corresponding button, which is responsible for entering the BIOS. Often this is F2 or Del, but different manufacturers may have different keys assigned to enter the BIOS. It is best to read the user manual of your motherboard or laptop.

    Inside the BIOS you need to find the reset option. For many manufacturers, it is located in the menu for saving settings and exiting the BIOS. It will be easier to find a reset if the BIOS is Russified. If not, look for something like Resettodefault (reset to default settings), Loadfactorydefaults (load factory settings), ClearBIOSsettings (clear settings BIOS), LoadFail-SafeDefaults (load optimal settings with minimal chance of failure) and so on.

    When you find the option you need, press Enter and confirm. The computer will then reboot.

    Resetting the BIOS using a jumper on the motherboard

    If you don’t have access to the BIOS itself (the computer simply won’t turn on, you can’t get into the BIOS because of a forgotten or unknown password, you don’t know how to open the BIOS, or you haven’t found the reset option), don’t despair. For such a case, manufacturers provide physical reset BIOS. To do this, the motherboard has a battery and special “combs” or jumpers, the short circuit of which resets your computer’s BIOS.


    For reference: modern and more expensive motherboards may be equipped with separate buttons responsible for resetting the BIOS. If you do not find the combs, jumpers or jumpers described in the article, look in the user manual of your motherboard. Perhaps the manufacturer has equipped the motherboard with a more convenient way to reset the BIOS.

    Resetting the BIOS by removing the battery

    Another method of resetting the BIOS is to remove the battery from the socket on the motherboard. You've probably noticed that the computer always shows correct date and time even after a long period of inactivity. All thanks to the fact that the battery installed in the motherboard powers the BIOS of your computer, which monitors the date and time. If this battery is removed, the BIOS will get rid of the last power supply and reset.


    How to reset BIOS on a laptop

    In order to reset the BIOS or its password on a laptop, follow all the same steps as described in the reset instructions inside the BIOS itself. If resetting this way is not possible, you will have to open your laptop and remove the battery (if there is one) from the motherboard. There is a high probability that the battery is located in a hard-to-reach place (for example, with inside motherboard), and to get to it you will have to tear apart the entire computer. If you do not have experience disassembling laptops, it is better to contact a laptop service specialist or service center.

    Conclusion

    Resetting the BIOS should always be done for a specific purpose. For example, to recover a BIOS password or correct errors/problems in the computer. You just shouldn't interfere with the operation of this extremely important PC component. If everything works well, don't change or reset anything.

    If your computer is unstable, a few tips on how to reset the BIOS may help. Problems arise as a result of incorrect BIOS settings or software failures. Let’s conditionally divide the zeroing procedure into two approaches depending on the problem: software and manual.

    In the CMOS settings, find the item responsible for resetting the settings to default. It's called Load defaults BIOS, Load fail-safe defaults or something similar. It is located in a separate menu item or is always displayed in the right, lower part of the help window. It all depends on whether it is AMI or AWARD, which are different appearance, name and location of menu items.

    Once you have found this option, press the enter function key or F5, F6, F9, F11, F12. Next you will be asked to confirm the changes, enter the Y key or select OK and press ENTER.

    When you have completed all the steps, be sure to save the changes. The save and exit item and the F10 key are responsible for this. The computer will restart and the settings will take effect.

    There are situations when crashes occur immediately after turning on the computer. Therefore there is no possibility reset BIOS settings. There are a number of alternative actions that are considered manual.

    The recommendations described below are universal. Suitable for motherboards such as asus, asrock, gigabyte. They are similar in architecture, but differ in the arrangement of elements. Next, let's look at what elements we need.

    We kindly request that before performing the steps described below, it is recommended to study the documentation of the motherboard. This will protect you from unwanted consequences. You will be better oriented in your actions.

    1 way. Be sure to unplug the computer from the outlet. When the PC is connected to the network, a small replenishment of energy also occurs, which will prevent you from resetting the BIOS.

    Remove the side cover. Carefully inspect the motherboard. Here you will need to find contacts closed by a jumper. Next to which it says Clear_CMOS, CLR_CMOS, CCMOS or in another way, more details in the description of your board.
    There are 3 contacts, the first two of which are closed by a jumper. Place the jumper on pins 2-3 for 15 seconds, then switch the jumper back.

    If there are only two contacts and they are without a jumper, short them metal object, for example, a screwdriver.

    Method 2. If you have a modern motherboard, it can be equipped with a special button for reset BIOS, which is signed as CLR CMOS. Find and hold it for a few seconds to reset the settings to factory settings.

    3 way. Not a very reliable method. It is necessary to remove the CMOS battery for at least 10 minutes, or even more. That is why this method may not bring the desired result. Who wants to wait several hours? Sometimes it takes so long to reset the parameters.

    After waiting, you need to insert the battery back and start the computer.

    It also happens that owners are ready to throw away their components. I want to warn you against hasty conclusions. First, conduct a thorough diagnosis of your hardware. Often problems lie not in the breakdown of individual parts, but in software failures.

    In practice, it happened that the computer started, but there was nothing except a black screen. The gradual replacement of components was not successful. The last thing that came to mind try resetting the BIOS. It really helped.