How to Reset Password on Cisco Router

Cisco routers can help you set up a secure network.

Cisco routers are designed for large networks that are more complex and require more security than a typical home network. A Cisco router is controlled through a command-line interface and requires a computer with a terminal application to configure it. There are several passwords on a Cisco router that allow several users to make minor configuration changes without having full administrative access. You can recover these passwords if you can physically access the router.

Things You'll Need

• Terminal application
• Console cable

Instructions

1. Power off the router and plug your computer with the terminal application into the console port of the router using the console cable. The console port is a trapezoid-shaped port on the back of the router with space to screw in pins on either side. Turn each pin on each side of the connector into the router and into your computer, respectively, to secure the connection.

2. Flip the power switch on the router to the "On" position and launch your terminal application.

3. Enter "show version" into the command line in the terminal. Scroll through the output until you reach the line that tells you about the configuration register. It normally reads "Configuration register is 0x2102," but if your output says something else, write it down. Switch the router off, then on again using the power switch.

4. Press the "Pause Break" key on your keyboard within 60 seconds of turning the router on. When you see the first prompt, enter "confreg 0x2142" in the terminal. If your configuration register was something else, enter that information instead of "0x2142." Type "reset" to reboot the router and ignore the saved information, allowing you to change the passwords.

5. Hold down the Ctrl key and press C to skip setting up the router. When you reach the first prompt that says "Router," type "enable" and press the Enter key. Type in "configure memory" and press Enter. Allow the process to finish. When you receive a prompt again, type in "show running-config." This allows you to see the unencrypted passwords.

6. Type "configure terminal" and press Enter.

7. Change your passwords. There are several passwords that you can change for the router. To reset a console password, enter the following series of commands:
   line con 0
   login
   password bob
   Substitute "bob" with your password.

   To change the Telnet password allowing you to log in to the router remotely, enter the following commands:
   line vty 0 4
   login
   password bob
   Substitute "bob" with the password you want to use.

   To set the "enable" password, type "enable password bob" substituting "bob" with your password.

   To change the secret password, enter "enable secret bob" substituting "bob" with your password.

8. Hold down the Ctrl key and tap the Z to exit Configuration Mode. Type in "write memory" to save your changes.

Tips & Warnings

• If your keyboard does not have a Pause/Break key, try using "Ctrl-F12" or "Windows Key-F12." You may need to consult your individual computer's manufacturer to find out how to enter Pause/Break.

References

• Cisco: Password Recovery Procedure for the Cisco 806, 826, 827, 828, 831, 836, and 837 Series Routers
• Cisco: Password Recovery Procedure for the Cisco 2900 Integrated Services Router
• Cisco: Password Recovery Procedure for the Cisco 3600 and 3800 Series Routers
• Tomax7: Cisco Router Configuration Commands
• Cisco: Cabling Guide for Console and AUX Ports
• Lost Theorem: Missing Pause/Break Key on Dell Studio Laptops

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Read this Article in Spanish