As a computer user, you may have experienced issues with your computer’s hardware and settings. There might have been times when your computer started showing errors, or it failed to boot, and this is where the CMOS comes in. The CMOS, or Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor, is a chip present on the motherboard that stores every machine’s essential hardware settings, such as the system clock, boot sequence, and the device’s serial and model numbers.

Resetting the CMOS can help solve technical issues like booting errors or common BIOS problems. Resetting the CMOS is not challenging, and most users can do it themselves without the need for a technical helpdesk. In this post, we will discuss how you can reset your CMOS and why you might need to.

Reasons Why You Might Need to Reset the CMOS

1. BIOS errors:

Sometimes, the computer BIOS gets corrupted, leading to errors when booting the system. This may happen due to a sudden power outage, hardware failures, or malfunctioning.

2. Overclocking:

Overclocking a computer means running its hardware components and processor at speeds higher than the manufacturer’s recommended ones. While this is exciting for gamers and other computer enthusiasts, it can sometimes screw up the CMOS settings, resulting in system malfunctions.

3. Password Issues:

If you’re unable to log in to your computer because of password issues, resetting the CMOS chip may be the only way to revive it. However, the process will result in the loss of all user’s data, configurations, and customizations, so it should only be done as a last resort.

4. How to Reset the CMOS

To reset the CMOS, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Turn off the computer.

Step 2: Unplug the power cable from the power supply.

Step 3: Locate the CMOS jumper on the motherboard. Look for the 3-pin jumper labeled ‘CLR_CMOS’ or ‘CLEAR CMOS.’ The motherboard’s manual will indicate the location of the jumper if you’re not sure.

Step 4: Move the CMOS jumper to pin 2-3, which is the ‘clear’ position. If you’re unsure of the jumper’s correct positioning, double-check the motherboard manual.

Step 5: Leave the jumper in this position for 6 to 10 seconds, then close the jumper back to its original position between pins 1 and 2. You should hear a small click.

Step 6: Plug the power cable back into the power supply, then power on the computer.

Step 7: Once the computer successfully boots, enter the BIOS setup by pressing either F2 or Del key during startup. Then, proceed to set your desired settings in the BIOS.

Conclusion

Resetting the CMOS chip is simple and is the solution to several computer hardware problems. If you’re experiencing technical issues with your computer and the BIOS, a CMOS reset can help. However, remember that resetting the CMOS wipes all hardware settings, configurations, and customizations. Therefore, reset the CMOS as a last resort and only when no other solution has worked.