Have you lost your Cisco router or switch password? Learn how to Reset or Recover your lost Cisco Router or Switch password in this valuable VIDEO!
In this 20 minute video, David Davis, CCIE, will show you how to take a Cisco router that you cannot login to and either recover the password or reset the password.
This involves changing the configuration register to 0×2142, rebooting, recovering or changing the password, and changing the configuration register back to 0×2102.
There are other places on the Internet that TELL you how to do this but few that will SHOW you how to do this.
Check it out!
Looking for how to reset the pasword on your Cisco Catalyst 2950 switch? View this video on resetting your Cisco switch password!
David Davis (CCIE #9369, VCP, CISSP, MCSE) has been in the IT industry for 15+ years. He has authored over 300 articles, 6 video training courses, and co-authored one book. Learn about David's certifications, video courses, and where you can find his content on our 
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Beautiful stuff! David, I think your explanation’s exceptional. I was able to do it right once. Thanks for your invaluable assistance.
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.
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
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.
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
Thanks for the help Dave. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Outstanding ! Did the trick first time … many thanks !
Wow, thanks! This saved my butt!
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
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..
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
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
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
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.