Resetting the BIOS password on a Lenovo desktop or laptop can be really important if you’re trying to troubleshoot or change settings on your computer. If you’ve forgotten your BIOS password, or if you bought a used Lenovo device that came with a BIOS password, there are a few ways you might be able to fix it. This article will walk you through these methods to help you get back into your BIOS settings. This should work for many Lenovo computers, like ThinkPad laptops, IdeaPad notebooks, Yoga 2-in-1s, Legion gaming laptops, and ThinkCentre desktops.
Also see: How to Clear CMOS without Removing Battery or Jumper Cap
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Removing the CMOS Battery
The best way to reset the BIOS password on a Lenovo laptop is by taking out the CMOS battery. This battery keeps the laptop’s BIOS settings and passwords. If you remove this battery, the BIOS settings go back to their original state, password included. Here’s how you do it:
- Make sure your Lenovo laptop is totally off and unplugged from any power source.
- Open up the back of the laptop to see the inside parts. This might be different for each model, so look at the user manual to find out how to do it for your laptop.
- If your laptop has a battery that you can take out, do it. This usually means sliding a latch or pressing a button on the bottom of the laptop.
- For laptops with batteries you can’t remove: If your laptop has a built-in battery, find the battery connector on the motherboard. Carefully unplug this to make sure the laptop is totally off and not holding any leftover power.
- Removing the main battery is important because it can keep giving power to the CMOS chip even when the CMOS battery is out. This means just taking out the CMOS battery might not reset the BIOS settings or password because the main battery keeps the memory active.
- Find the CMOS battery, which looks like a small, round battery, kind of like a coin.
- Carefully take out the CMOS battery. It’s smart to use a tool that doesn’t conduct electricity to avoid any damage. Leave it out for about 10-20 minutes. This time lets the motherboard fully power down and clears the BIOS memory.
- Put the CMOS battery back in after waiting. If you unplugged the internal battery, plug it back in. Put your laptop back together.
- Turn on your laptop. The BIOS password should be gone, and you should be able to get into the BIOS settings without needing a password.
Linked issue: Battery Light Blinking Orange on Lenovo, Dell or Asus Laptop
Important notes
- Taking apart your laptop, especially if you mess with the battery, could cancel your warranty.
- You could break something important if you’re not careful. If you’re not sure about doing this yourself, it might be better to get help from someone who knows how to do it safely.
This method works well, but you need to know what you’re doing and be careful. Always check the manual or get help from a professional if you’re not sure about any step.
Resetting BIOS password through CMOS jumper
Another way to fix the BIOS password, especially for laptops with built-in batteries or when other methods don’t work, is by using the CMOS jumper. This involves connecting specific jumper pins on the motherboard to reset the BIOS to its default settings. Here’s what you do:
- First, make sure the laptop is completely off and unplugged from any power source. If your laptop has a battery you can remove, take it out.
- Open the laptop’s back to get to the motherboard. How you do this will depend on the model, so look at your laptop’s service manual or online guides for your specific model.
- Find the CMOS jumper pins on the motherboard. They might be labeled as CLR_CMOS, CLEAR_CMOS, JCMOS1, or something similar. Sometimes, these pins aren’t labeled, so you might need to check the manual or laptop guide.
- Use a non-conductive tool like a screwdriver or jumper cap to connect the two pins together for about 5-10 seconds. This clears the CMOS and resets the BIOS settings and password.
- Put your laptop back together carefully. Turn it on, and you should be able to get into the BIOS settings without a password.
Be aware, connecting the CMOS pins accurately and knowing your way around the laptop’s internals is important. Doing it wrong could break the motherboard. This method might not work for all laptop models, especially newer ones with more complex designs.
If you’re not sure about doing this yourself, getting help from a tech expert is a good idea. They know how to handle these steps without risking your laptop.
Related resource: How to Unlock Lenovo Keyboard if It’s not Working
Using BIOS reset software tools
If you can’t use physical methods like removing the CMOS battery, another option is using BIOS reset software tools. These programs work with the BIOS settings from your operating system. Here’s how to use them:
- There are different BIOS password reset tools online, like CMOS De-Animator, or tools specific to your computer’s maker. Only download these from trusted sites to avoid harmful software.
- Some tools might need you to make a bootable USB drive. Use programs like Rufus to create a bootable drive with the BIOS reset tool on it.
- Plug the bootable USB into your laptop and restart it. You might have to press F12 or another key when you start up to choose the USB as the boot device.
- Once the laptop boots from the USB, follow the instructions on the screen to use the BIOS reset tool. The steps will vary based on the tool you’re using.
- After using the tool, take out the USB drive and restart your laptop. The BIOS password should be cleared, letting you access the BIOS settings.
Useful guide: How Much Can I Sell My Used Laptop For? (Pricing Guide)
Using a backdoor password
If you can’t get into your Lenovo laptop’s BIOS because you forgot the password, you might be able to use a backdoor password. This is a special default password from the manufacturer that can skip the user-set password. Lenovo laptops give a ‘System Disabled’ code after entering the wrong password three times that you can use to get a backdoor password online. Here’s how:
- Turn on your Lenovo laptop and press F1 to get to the BIOS entry screen. Enter any password three times when asked.
- After three wrong tries, you’ll see a “System Disabled” screen with a code. Write down this code exactly as it shows.
- On another device with internet, go to
https://bios-pw.org/. This site is all about making backdoor passwords for BIOS.
- Enter the code from the ‘System Disabled’ screen on the site, then click “Get password”.
- The site will give you some passwords to try. Restart your Lenovo laptop, press F1 to get back to the BIOS screen, and try these passwords. But remember, you only get three tries before it locks again.
Concluding thoughts
Resetting the BIOS password on a Lenovo laptop with a non-removable battery takes some care. You can try different things, from using backdoor passwords and BIOS reset software, to more hands-on steps like working with the motherboard to reset the CMOS. If these don’t work or seem too hard, reaching out to Lenovo support is a safe and smart choice.
Messing with BIOS settings and the inside parts of a laptop can be risky, including possible data loss or breaking your computer. Always back up your data before trying any reset steps, and if you’re not sure about something, it’s best to get help from a pro.
