How to Factory Reset from BIOS on a Windows PC [Methods in 2023]

The BIOS, the first program launched when your computer is turned on, assists with basic operations and manages commands between the computer and the OS. If you encounter a problem with it, you may need to reset it to factory settings, restoring all settings to their original state at the time of manufacture.

Performing a factory reset from BIOS on your computer is a relatively simple task. There are a few approaches to doing this, which will be covered in this article, but rest assured it's not a complicated process.

When Do You Need a Factory Reset from BIOS

When changes to the BIOS cause hardware problems, such as a malfunctioning GPU, CPU, or RAM, the only solution is to factory reset the BIOS to resolve the issue, especially when the computer is struggling to load.

If you've installed new hardware on your PC, it's recommended to factory reset from the BIOS settings to avoid conflicts with the old hardware settings. This ensures a smooth integration of the new hardware with your system.

Performing a factory reset from the BIOS helps return system modifications to their default settings, is necessary when selling or buying a used computer, and can solve boot-up issues due to a lost BIOS password.

Here are the just-You might need to execute a BIOS factory reset if you're experiencing issues with your computer's boot process, such as being unable to boot from the correct drive, or if you've made changes to the BIOS settings and want to restore them to their default state. Additionally, if you're experiencing issues with your computer's hardware, such as a faulty graphics card or other component, a BIOS factory reset might be necessary to resolve the problem.

• Boot problem
• Hardware problem
• Installed new hardware
• Purchased a used computer
• Forgot BIOS password
• Reset overclock settings

How to Factory Reset from BIOS on a Windows PC

There are three basic methods to perform a factory reset from the BIOS, which are relatively easy to do. Depending on your needs, you can choose between the two methods. Just as mentioned earlier, you may need to execute a factory reset from the BIOS, and each approach has its own steps.

Method 1. Perform the Reset from BIOS

To reset BIOS settings from the BIOS page, follow these steps:

Step 1. Restart your computer and repeatedly hit the key to enter BIOS, which is usually Del, F1, or F2, depending on your motherboard. If that doesn't work, check your MOBO manual or the manufacturer's website for the correct key.

Step 2. After the BIOS page opens, use the arrow key to navigate to the Exit section and select "Load Setup Defaults" (or the similar option on your motherboard, such as "Reset to Default", "Load Optimal Defaults", or "Restore Settings").

To select the option to start the voice assistant, you can use the arrow keys to navigate to it and press Enter.

Step 3. If you want to reset your BIOS, select "Yes" to confirm your action and your BIOS reset will start immediately.

Step 4. Navigate to the Exit section, select "Yes" to "Exit Saving Changes", or press F10 to save settings and exit BIOS.

Method 2. Clear CMOS

To reset the BIOS password, you can either remove the CMOS battery or reset the motherboard jumper if you can't access the BIOS page because you've forgotten the password or it's corrupted. To do this, you'll need to open up your computer and access the motherboard, then locate the CMOS battery and remove it or find the jumper and reset it. This will clear the BIOS settings and allow you to access the BIOS page again.

Step 1. Power off your computer, unplug it from any power source, and for laptops, remove the battery after it powers off.

Step 2. To prevent static electricity from damaging your computer's components, touch a metal surface, such as a tap or a door handle, before starting to open your computer. This helps to discharge any static electricity from your body, reducing the risk of damage to sensitive components.

Step 3. To access the motherboard, open your laptop and locate the CMOS battery, which is typically a silver-colored battery and may be found under the GPU for some boards or near the PCI slots. Once located, remove the battery gently.

Step 4. To reset the BIOS, press and hold your computer's power button for 10 to 15 seconds, which will discharge power from the computer and reset the CMOS memory. This will effectively reset the BIOS settings to their default values.

Step 5. Now, reinsert the CMOS and couple your computer.

To clear the CMOS, you can use the jumper labeled CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, CLR, PSSWRD, or any other tag on your motherboard, especially if it's missing a CMOS battery. Check your motherboard manual or manufacturer's website for the correct location of the jumper, which may be different depending on the brand and model.

To reset the CMOS and BIOS, locate the CMOS jumper, remove it, and place it on the other two pins. If it was on the first two pins, move it to the last two pins. This action will reset the CMOS and BIOS.

If you're looking for alternative ways to factory reset your Windows PC, you can explore other methods such as using the built-in Reset This PC feature, creating a bootable USB drive with Windows installation media, or using a third-party tool like a recovery disk. These options can provide a clean start for your computer, but it's essential to back up your data and files before proceeding to avoid losing any important information.

Conclusion

To perform a factory reset from BIOS, you can either use the BIOS settings or the UEFI settings, depending on your computer's model. This will reset your BIOS settings to their default values without affecting any data on your computer. It's essential to follow the steps carefully to avoid any issues.

FAQs about Factory Resetting from BIOS

Here, we also covered some hot questions related to factory resetting from BIOS. If you're interested, follow the answers to learn more.

1. Is factory reset from BIOS safe?

Performing a factory reset from BIOS is a safe and effective way to resolve computer issues, as it simply reverts the BIOS settings to their default values without affecting any other system settings.

2. Does resetting the BIOS erase data?

A BIOS factory reset is a process that restores the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) settings to their default values, without erasing any data on the computer. This means that a BIOS factory reset is a safe and non-destructive process, unlike a Windows factory reset which can erase data on the computer.

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