How To Clear CMOS On Your Laptop or Desktop

Last updated on November 18th, 2024 at 10:20 pm

A great reason to clear CMOS is to solve certain computer problems or hardware compatibility issues. In many scenarios, a simple BIOS reset is all you need to get a seemingly dead PC back up and running.

You can also clear the CMOS to reset a system-level password, or if you’ve been making changes to BIOS that you believe have now caused some kind of problem. Clearing the CMOS on your motherboard will reset your BIOS settings to their factory defaults, the original settings that the motherboard manufacturer decided were the ones that most people would use.

CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) is a technology that is commonly used in electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and digital cameras. It has many benefits, such as low power consumption, high speed, and compact size.

When used in a computer, the CMOS is a tiny battery-powered chip that stores crucial system information such as the date, time, and hardware configuration. It helps save any BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings, which control the way how your PC interacts with its hardware. Without this chip, a computer would not be able to start up properly because it couldn’t store that very simple data.

There may be moments when the CMOS chip becomes corrupted. This can lead to errors in the system’s hardware configuration, which results in problems such as incorrect date and time, error messages during startup, and system crashes.

To resolve these issues, you will have to reset the CMOS chip. When you reset the CMOS, all of the data stored in it gets erased, including the BIOS settings. This will revert the PC to its default hardware configuration, which can fix any issues caused by the CMOS chip being corrupted.

One way you can clear CMOS is by reseating the CMOS battery. First, make sure your computer is unplugged. If you’re using a laptop, make sure that the main battery is removed, too.

Next, if you’re using a desktop PC, open up your computer’s case. If you’re using a laptop, find and open the small CMOS battery panel (For more specific instructions, follow your laptop manufacturer’s manual).

Finally, remove the CMOS battery for a few minutes and then put it back in. Close the case or battery panel and then plug it back in, or reattach the laptop’s main battery.

By removing and then reconnecting the CMOS battery, you disconnect the main source of power that saves your computer’s BIOS settings. This will then bring your BIOS back to default settings.

• Laptops: The CMOS battery may be wrapped inside a special enclosure. It connects to the motherboard via the 2-pin white connector. This is usually how manufacturers of small computers include a CMOS battery. Clearing CMOS in laptops involves unplugging the white connector from the motherboard and then plugging it back in.
• Desktops: The CMOS battery in most desktop computers tends to be much easier to find. It looks just like a standard cell-type battery like you would find in toys or regular watches. Clearing CMOS in desktop PCs involves popping the battery out and then putting it back in.

Newer motherboards, especially more expensive ones that with designed for enthusiasts in mind, will usually have a special button built in that can clear the CMOS battery.

The button can be found on the rear of the motherboard, next to all of the ports. It can also be found on the motherboard itself, which means it requires opening the case to access it. If you’re not sure where to find it, the manual that came with your computer or motherboard will tell you specifically where to find it.

Once you locate the CMOS clear button, push it down for at least 10 seconds. Due to how small these buttons are, you may need a paper clip for this. CMOS clear buttons that are near the ports on the back are usually recessed to prevent accidental pushes.

CMOS buttons that are located on the motherboard are usually clearly marked, so they are very easy to spot. They also aren’t usually recessed, so they don’t require any tools for pressing them. You’ll still need to hold it down for a few seconds to activate the reset.

Another way you can clear the CMOS is to short the CLEAR CMOS jumper if your motherboard has one. This jumper is commonly seen on most desktop motherboards will have a jumper, so the majority of laptops will not have this option. First, make sure your computer is unplugged, and then open it up.

Look around your motherboard’s surface for a jumper that has a CLEAR CMOS label. These jumpers are often located near the CMOS battery. Some other labels you might see for this jumper include CLRPWD, PASSWORD, or CLEAR.

Move the plastic jumper from the 2 pins it’s on over to the other pins (in a 3-pin setup where the center pin is shared) or remove the jumper entirely if this is a 2-pin setup. Again, if you’re not sure how to do this, check the CMOS clearing steps that are mentioned in your manufacturer’s computer or motherboard manual. Turn your computer back on and make sure that the BIOS settings or system password is cleared.

If everything is good, turn off your computer and return the jumper to its original position. If you forget to do this, the CMOS will keep resetting clear on every restart of your computer!

The CMOS technology is an essential component of modern electronic devices. This allows for faster, and more reliable performance. If you are currently facing issues with your computer’s hardware configuration, resetting the CMOS chip can be a useful troubleshooting solution.

However, it is important to note that resetting the CMOS chip will clear all the data that’s stored in it, including your BIOS settings. Therefore, it is essential to back up your BIOS settings before you clear the CMOS, to avoid losing any critical configuration data.