[3 Ways]: How to Reset BIOS Password on Dell Laptop

This article will show you 3 ways on how to reset the BIOS password on your Dell laptop and recommend a software to backup Dell data to prevent accidental data loss.

Miya

By Miya Updated on September 21, 2023

Share this: instagram reddit

User Case: How do I Reset My Dell Laptop BIOS Password?

“Hey, folks! So, I got this Dell laptop, and I seem to have forgotten the BIOS password. Now I'm stuck and can't access my BIOS settings. Any ideas on how to reset BIOS admin password on Dell laptop? It's a Dell Inspiron 15 series, and I'm running Windows 10. I've tried some generic methods, but no luck so far. Any specific tricks or tools that might work in this situation? Thanks in advance for your help.” 

If you are also like this user and want to reset BIOS password in Dell laptop, then you have really come to the right place. This article will show you how to reset BIOS password on Dell laptop. Finally, it is recommended that you backup your Dell data to prevent any kind of accidental data loss. Now let's get to the point!

Tips: In the BIOS or UEFI of a computer, there are three types of passwords:
►System or User password:
Required to log in to the computer, preventing unauthorized access to it. It also restricts entry into the BIOS, access to the one-time boot menu (F12 menu), and booting into the operating system.
►Setup or Admin password: Needed to access and modify the BIOS settings. It prevents unauthorized access to the BIOS and unauthorized changes to its settings.
►HDD password: Required for the BIOS to access the hard drive and proceed with booting into the operating system. It prevents unauthorized access to the HDD and unauthorized booting into the operating system.

How to Reset or Clear BIOS Password with 4 Ways

BIOS or UEFI passwords add an extra layer of security to your computer, ensuring unauthorized access is prevented. If you're in a situation where you need to reset the BIOS password, this part provides 3 helpful instructions to guide you in resetting BIOS password in Dell laptop.

✔Important: Please note that you will need the previous password to reset or clear the passwords in the BIOS or UEFI.

Way 1. Reset Dell BIOS Password Using Service Manuals

To reset the Dell default BIOS password, the easiest method is to utilize the Dell Service Manuals. Here's a simple guide on how to do it:

Step 1. Visit the Dell Manuals website by clicking here.

Step 2. Enter the Service Tag, Express Service Code, or Serial number of your Dell computer in the designated box and click Search. If you're unsure where to find the Dell Service Tag/Serial Number, refer to this helpful guide. Alternatively, you can click on Browse all products and select your specific Dell product from the results.

Browse All Products

Step 3. Navigate to the Manuals and Documents section and locate the Service Manual for your Dell product. Click on View PDF or View Page next to the Service Manual to access it.

View PDF

Step 4. Locate the section in the Service Manual that pertains to the BIOS setup program. Look for the instructions on Clearing Forgotten Passwords. Follow the on-screen instructions provided in the manual to complete the process of resetting the Dell BIOS password.

Note: Please be aware that the steps may differ for various Dell laptop models. Here, we are using Dell Inspiron 3252 as an example.

BIOS Setup Program

Way 2. Reset Dell BIOS Password Using a Pass Code

Many users have shared their success in resetting BIOS password in Dell laptop by utilizing a pass code. You can give it a try as well. Here's how:

Step 1. Start your computer and press either F2 or F12 to access the BIOS settings.

Step 2. Inside the BIOS settings, locate and press the Unlock button. Make sure to take note of the System Number displayed.

Unlock Button

Step 3. Next, on a separate computer, click here to access the Clear unknown BIOS passwords website.

Step 4. Enter the System Number that you previously noted into the designated Enter your codebox. Click on Get password. You will then receive the following codes:

  • Dell HDD Serial Number (use this code to reset your HDD password)
  • Dell from serial number (use this code to reset the Dell Admin password)

Enter Your Code

Step 5. Return to the Dell Setup Unlock screen and enter the password you obtained from the "bios pw org" website. Press Ctrl + Enter to clear the admin password. If everything goes well, you should be able to bypass the Dell BIOS password and make modifications to the BIOS settings.

Way 3. Reset Dell BIOS Password Using the PSWD Jumper

If you've accidentally forgotten your BIOS password, resetting the CMOS or NVRAM can help you reset BIOS password on Dell computer. Follow the steps below carefully to perform Dell laptop BIOS password reset by jumper:

Note: Clearing the CMOS or NVRAM using the PSWD jumper resets the Dell BIOS user password, admin password, and HDD password. However, it does not reset other passwords like online accounts or Windows logon.

Step 1. Ensure you have read the Safety Precautions for working with electronic and electrical equipment before doing the following steps.

Step 2. Power off your computer and disconnect it from the power source.

Step 3. Locate the PSWD or CMOS jumper section on your system board.

Step 4. Carefully remove the jumper plug from the password jumper pins.

Step 5. Power on your computer without the jumper plug to clear the default BIOS password.

Step 6. Once your laptop has booted up, shut it down and reinsert the jumper plug into its original location.

Note: Recovering BIOS passwords is not possible. If you have forgotten any of the passwords set in the BIOS, resetting the CMOS or NVRAM is a viable solution. This process restores the BIOS to its factory default settings and removes all passwords associated with it.

Backup Your Dell Laptop to Prevent Data Loss

Dell laptops are popular for their mobility and convenience. It's essential to regularly back up your Dell laptop to protect against potential threats such as data loss due to system failure, viruses, accidental deletion, system breakdown, or unforeseen events like fire, flood, or theft.

Manually selecting, copying, and pasting files for backup can be time-consuming and tedious. Instead, consider using professional backup software for a more efficient and reliable backup solution. AOMEI Backupper Standard is a dependable and free software solution that provides several notable backup features:

✍Comprehensive Functionality: It allows you to perform system backup, disk backup, partition backup, and files/folders backup.
✍Versatile Compatibility: You can back up your data to different destinations such as local disks, external hard drives, network shares, NAS devices, and cloud drives.
Scheduled Backup: You can automate backup tasks by setting up daily, weekly, and monthly schedules, event triggers, or USB plug in.

Note: If you are a server user, please ensure to download the specifically designed AOMEI Backupper Server version tailored for server usage.

Download FreewareWin11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 1. Choose either File Backup to back up individual files or Disk Backup to create a backup of the entire hard disk.

File Backup

Step 2. Select either Add File or Add Folder to choose the specific files or folders on your laptop that you want to include in the backup.

Add Folders Files

Step 3. Specify the destination path or location where you would like to save the image file.

Select Destination

Step 4. Click the Start Backup button to begin the task and wait patiently until it is completed.

In the Pro version, you can benefit from advanced features including:
Differential Backup
: Save storage space by backing up only the files that have changed since the last backup, ensuring continuous system backup.
Backup Scheme: Effectively manage backup disk space by automatically deleting older backup files based on the specified number of backup versions. This helps optimize storage utilization.

Summary

This article will show you 3 ways to reset BIOS password on Dell laptop. Finally, it is recommended that you use AOMEI Backupper Standard to free backup your Dell data to prevent any kind of accidental data loss. This tool is also the best Delldata migration tool. Why not try it now?

Miya
Miya · Editor
Miya has an excellent insight and receives professional and systematic technical training since joining AOMEI. She has a comprehensive understanding of computer issues, aiming at helping users troubleshoot all kinds of problems. A lot of computer users around the world have found her articles very helpful!