The BIOS or CMOS plays a vital role in any computer’s working. If a PC has a problem, then resetting the BIOS can help. But, is it necessary to do it every time and for every PC problem? Of course not, today we’ll discuss when and how you should reset your PC BIOS.
Here, you need to know the two terms (BIOS and CMOS) first. These two terms will help you to find where the problem is and take action accordingly.
The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is the collection of basic functions that were pre-installed by the motherboard manufacturer. With the help of BIOS in a computer, we can install an operating system and run the computer.
Without BIOS no PC can work.
On the other hand, (CMOS) Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor is the battery where the BIOS functions get stored and work. The CMOS battery exists on the motherboard and we can set the BIOS to default by removing the battery from the motherboard.
Now you know the difference between BIOS and CMOS. But why do you need to reset BIOS or CMOS on your PC?
When You Should Reset BIOS on Your PC?
Every computer is just a machine, and a machine can cause problems when the system malfunctions. Here is the list of causes on your PC by which you can decide that it’s time to reset BIOS.
PC Not Booting to BIOS
When you turn ON the computer, the computer will show a blank screen irrespective of booting to BIOS or loading Windows. If this is the case, then it’s time to reset the BIOS on your PC. Find other causes for PC not booting to BIOS.
The computer is in a loop (ON and OFF)
Sometimes the computer performs the loop action, which means it can turn ON and OFF repeatedly. Even though there are other reasons for this problem, BIOS resetting is the most helpful one.
PC doesn’t work well with changes in BIOS settings
For some reason, you make the changes in your BIOS. And the PC doesn’t work well after you make these changes. At this stage, you need to think that the latest BIOS settings are causing the issue. Resetting the BIOS will help you to solve the issues like freezing, unwanted shutdowns, etc.
These are the various reasons to suspect CMOS or BIOS on your PC.
Ways to Reset BIOS on Your PC
As I said, CMOS is a battery, and the BIOS is the group of functions that are stored in the CMOS. Now, I have a question for you. When your computer raises a problem like not booting, unwanted shutdowns, etc, what will you do? Do you want to clear your CMOS battery or reset the BIOS?
Don’t get confused. Clearing the CMOS battery is nothing but resetting the BIOS on a computer. Without touching the battery, we can reset the BIOS and that’s why we have different ways to reset the BIOS on a computer.
However, I’m gonna tell you all the possible ways we have and you can choose the one that fits well for your condition.
Factory Reset in the BIOS settings using the key
When you turn ON the power button on your CPU, you need to press the BIOS key on your keyboard continuously. After that, the computer starts loading BIOS. The BIOS page varies from one PC to another.
Here are the steps to make a factory reset of BIOS in BIOS settings.
- Turn ON your desktop computer as usual
- Press the BIOS key repeatedly when the monitor shows your motherboard brand
- Wait a minute to load the BIOS
- Using the keyboard, select the page “Exit ”
- Press key F9 to make settings default
- Save the changes to reset the BIOS
The motherboard manufacturer pre-defined the default BIOS settings. And they work well in most cases.
Use the CMOS reset button on the motherboard
There is a button on the motherboard that is near the CMOS battery and its function is to clear the BIOS and set them up to default on a PC. However, here the drawback is not every motherboard has this CMOS reset button.
To find the CMOS reset button on your motherboard, you just need to look at your motherboard carefully in detail. If it exists then you can find it otherwise it doesn’t.
- Look at the corner side near the CMOS battery where you can find it
- Some motherboard manufacturers mention the button with the name ‘CMOS Reset’
- Don’t forget to look at the motherboard’s rear side, which means the port side. In some motherboards, the reset button exists there.
Just go through your motherboard manual to find out whether the CMOS reset button exists on it or not. If you don’t know your motherboard model or manual, here are multiple ways to find the motherboard on your PC.
Push the CMOS button on the CPU case
Some computers have the CMOS reset button on the CPU case, near the main power button. The CMOS button looks small when compared to the power button. You can use this button whenever you want to reset your BIOS settings.
It is not sure that every small button on the CPU case is related to the CMOS because computers with RGB lighting also have a small button by which the RGB lighting is controlled with it. And it does nothing with the BIOS functions on a PC.
Change the jumper connections
Jumper pins on a motherboard help reset the BIOS functions in a computer. But How?
The jumper connection on the motherboard is the 3-pin direct connection to the CMOS or BIOS on a computer. If the motherboard is not in sync with the computer parts and the computer is causing trouble starting, then changing the jumper connection helps.
The jumper block (small plastic block that covers the pins) is jumped or covered with 1 – 2 Pins. When it’s time to configure the BIOS settings, move the jump block to 2 – 3 Pins. To reset your PC BIOS and keep it in recovery mode, remove the jumper block and keep the pins open.
Always give second priority to reset BIOS by changing the jumper connection. Instead, try the CMOS reset button. It is easy. Right?
- Useful Read: How to find a dead motherboard?
Remove the CMOS battery from the motherboard
The CMOS battery on the motherboard is easy to handle. That’s why most tech-savvy suggest you remove the CMOS battery if your PC has trouble working.
But, does removing the CMOS battery reset BIOS? Yes, removing the CMOS battery from the motherboard and placing it back in helps to reset and keep the BIOS functions as default in a PC.
Here is how to reset BIOS by removing the CMOS battery from the case.
- Turn OFF your computer if it is running
- Remove all the connections from the CPU
- Open the CPU case panel
- If the CMOS battery is visible to you on the motherboard, pull the battery locker to unlock the battery.
- Wait for a minute to reset all BIOS functions
- Place the battery into the slot. Make sure you are placing the battery in the right direction.
In case the battery is hiding behind the graphics card or stock cooler, then you don’t have other options except removing those components on the motherboard.
How to clear CMOS with a screwdriver?
As we discussed earlier, the jumper on the motherboard helps to reset the PC BIOS.
With the help of a screwdriver, you can short-circuit the jumper pins. So that all the BIOS functions in a computer come to the default settings.
Your motherboard manual will let you know where this jumper is and how to handle it.
What do I do After resetting CMOS?
After resetting the BIOS on your PC, you need to visit the BIOS page and make the necessary connection that you wish. For example, I want to disable secure boot on my PC so I can disable it in BIOS.
Like this, you can make the settings as convenient. And don’t forget to save these settings. My suggestion is to go with the default BIOS settings. They are good in most cases without messing up with the hardware issues. Feel free to read when is the right time to upgrade your motherboard.
