Once the internal components are accessible, find and remove the CMOS battery, which essentially looks like a large watch battery-usually located in an exposed housing on the motherboard. If you’re unsure how to do this, refer to the manufacturer’s information, but be warned that doing so may void your warranty.Ģ. For desktop PCs, CMOS battery removal is relatively straightforward: ensure your machine is powered down and remove all external cables, then open up the case to reveal the hardware inside.Since this CMOS gets powered by a small battery (CR2032), the second BIOS reset option is to remove it. Option 2: Remove the CMOS Battery on Your Laptop or Desktop PC Instead, the computer goes back to its standard startup settings. None of your files or data get modified or deleted since they get stored on the HDD or SSD. Then, reinsert the plug back in place, or, in the case of a three-pin setup, place it back on the original outer pin.īy removing the plug from the pins, the BIOS basically ‘forgets’ what settings to use at startup and reverts to its defaults.

Again, press and hold the power button for at least 20 seconds.Ģ. If your switch includes a third pin, remove it and place it on the opposite outer one like the image above. Remove the plug, then hold the power button for at least 20 seconds to drain residual energy. The switch generally includes two or three pins.ġ. If your board includes a reset switch, it is easier to reset your CMOS and BIOS configuration. However, it may use a button on some motherboards. Most motherboards feature a CMOS reset switch, which disconnects the backup battery’s power to the BIOS-it is a pin-and-plug setup. So, skip ahead if you disabled it from the Windows Device Manager, etc. Note: Resetting your computer’s BIOS only works if the GPU was disabled from BIOS. Fixing a Graphics Card Disabled from BIOS Option 1: Reset the BIOS using a Switch on Your Laptop or Desktop PC The CMOS generally appears in the RTC clock semiconductor, but some motherboards have a separate chip.įor further information on the two, check out the FAQ section.

The Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) acts as short-term memory, which tells the BIOS what to do every time you start your computer.

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