32 thoughts on “FREE VIDEO: How to Reset or Recover your Lost Cisco Router or Switch Password”

1. Adewumi May 20, 2008 at 1:41 pm

   Beautiful stuff! David, I think your explanation’s exceptional. I was able to do it right once. Thanks for your invaluable assistance.
2. TJ TAZ May 27, 2008 at 10:02 pm

   So How is this video different than this one:
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VY5B6cTkT8

   In the latter, the person holds the mode button while restarting to interrupt the start up sequence. They then rename the config file and reboot. The config file is then saved for future reference. The router boots in default mode allowing you skip the initial configuration dialog and you can then enter enable mode. You then rename and reload the old configuration file and because you are in enable mode you can view the file and obtain the first password. From there you enter config mode (config t) and either reset the secret password or disable it completely.

   I am completely new to this, have no programming background or networking for that matter, but I do have a 2950 switch that none of my $150/hr networking guys can figure out how to reset the password. The happyrouter solution is thorough and clear but does not seem as elegant or simple as the one found on youtube. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts. I am fortunate enough to have a spare 2950 to experiment on so I am gonna try the youtube version first and see what happens.
3. David Davis May 28, 2008 at 11:20 am

   Hi TJ,
   While I haven’t yet watched the youtube video (but I will), the first thing I can tell you is that my video covers resetting the password on a Cisco ROUTER. The youtube video must cover resetting the password on a SWITCH because you said that they “press the MODE” button and a router has no mode button.
   Good Luck to you in your password reset!
   David Davis
   CCIE9369
4. FL_IT_Student December 6, 2008 at 6:28 am

   During the video, you kept making the disclaimer that this does not work exactly the same on 2500 series routers. Well, I have 4 of the 2500 series I am reclaiming. I watched to the end and the 2500’s differences were not addressed. What are the differences I have to be aware of? Thanks.
5. David Davis December 6, 2008 at 6:35 am

   Hi FL_IT_Student,
   2500 series routers use the o/r command on the console instead of the commands used in the video. Please see this URL for 2500 series router password recovery:
   Cisco 2500 Series Router Password Recovery
6. FL_IT_Student December 6, 2008 at 6:59 am

   Thanks for the help Dave. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
7. DJP January 9, 2009 at 10:19 am

   Outstanding ! Did the trick first time … many thanks !

8. Pingback: 10 dumb things you can do to your Cisco router | 10 Things | TechRepublic.com

9. Pingback: 10 dumb things you can do to your Cisco router | How2Pc

10. Mike January 23, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    Wow, thanks! This saved my butt!
11. alis March 25, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    outstanding brother.. i understood all the things which u teach. thanks so much this is awsum video
    i never comments on any website but i really like ur video… appreciate bro
12. Renfel May 5, 2009 at 9:01 pm

    Hi, i’ll just wondering if how to recover password on cisco 2960 ios 12.2, is it the same way that you did on the cisco 871. I tried to press ctrl + break but still i can’t get into the rommon mode… please help..
13. Brigitta Schwulst July 24, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    Hi There

    I have been trying this on my WRT54Gl router. I get into the hyper terminal fine but when I power down the router it disconnects so I can’t seem to get the CTRL break to work. Am I doing something wrong?

    Thanks

    Brigitta
14. Lawrence Corbett August 4, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Invaluable to a guy like me who buys used routers on ebay and finds they have all been configured. Being able to wipe out the start up config has saved my bacon. Thanks, so much. how do I sign up for training. Larry
15. David Davis Post authorAugust 4, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    Hi Lawrence,

    I’m glad that I could be of help!

    We have some more free Cisco routing, switching, and TCP/IP training videos over at-
    http://www.TrainSignalTraining.com

    Thank you for your comments!

    -David
16. wizdude March 24, 2010 at 6:20 am

    at 09:56 you could have just done a “copy start run” to restore back the original startup config, then gone into configuration mode, changed the secret and the config-register and then written it all back to flash.

    this is actually the cisco documented method for resetting the password and saves you from re-entering anything.

    cheers, wizdude.
17. rcmichelle August 29, 2010 at 11:40 pm

    Last time I forgot my password and tried everything i could do but failed, until I found this great tool Password Genius. It works great, and you can google it.
18. Heath Young January 8, 2011 at 12:38 am

    Awesome video! Worked like a charm. Thanks a million!

19. Pingback: How to study for CCNA Certification FREE | CCNA R&S 640-802 Certification Preparation

20. Darklurker March 10, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    Great video. Worked perfectly on my older 3700. Thanks for taking the time to post it.
21. Anto May 28, 2011 at 2:59 am

    Thank alot for you stuff David, I followed and managed to recover my password and scooped something out of it.Big up.
22. Dim Greece June 11, 2011 at 3:39 am

    Great video and it worked just fine. You saved me a 400km trip. And with wizdude’s note i didn’t have to reconfigure everything… Thank you both.
23. bob August 4, 2011 at 6:36 am

    very helpful
24. mirang September 26, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    hi dave.its an awesome video ..i have a question ..the first time the virtual configure register was 0*2102 and after perfoming some steps it changed to 0*2142..i cant understand that logic.can u plz answer my question
25. admin September 26, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    Hi mirang,
    The 2142 is used to ignore the password in the configuration so that you can change it. The 2102 is the standard config. You can read about these in this Cisco doc-
    Use of the Configuration Register on All Cisco Routers
    http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps133/products_tech_note09186a008022493f.shtml
    Hope that helps!
    -David
26. mirang September 27, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    thanks dave for replying u are doing lots of good to students like us
27. Soreu October 2, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    ” at 09:56 you could have just done a “copy start run” to restore back the original startup config, then gone into configuration mode, changed the secret and the config-register and then written it all back to flash.

    this is actually the cisco documented method for resetting the password and saves you from re-entering anything.

    cheers, wizdude.
    ”
    Dave,
    like you video but waht do you think about Wizdude’s method. That’s how I recover my router password. It’s simple and quick. What do you think?
28. abdulrahman November 10, 2011 at 12:23 am

    hi ,,

    thank you dave really i benefited from this vedio ,, currently im preparing for my CCNA Exam can you help me out to get the best video for CCNA exam if possible please email me at [EMAIL REMOVED]

    thank you.
29. PETER November 11, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    PROGRAMS >>> ACCESSORIES >>> COMMUNICATIONS? DIRECTORY DOES NOT EXIST ON WINDOWS VISTA
30. PETER November 11, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    IS IT LABELED DIFFERENTLY ON VISTA? THERE IS NO COMMUNICATIONS FOLDER AT ALL ON VISTA
31. stefan February 1, 2012 at 8:11 am

    Very, very, Very good tutorial.
    Thanks!
32. Alex February 28, 2012 at 10:41 am

    Man, this is awsome, thanks. I tried with the Cisco procedure and got lost along the way, but yours is easyer, it has fewer steps…