This short post details how to perform password recovery on a Cisco 2960X switch. Follow these simple steps to reset password.
The biggest problem most people have with doing a password recovery on a 2960 or 3560 is knowing how long to hold the mode button down for.
The process is very simple:
STEP 1: Hold Down the Mode Button on the front of the switch
STEP 2: Power up the Switch whilst keeping the mode button held in
STEP 3: Let the mode button go at the right time and then enter a few commands.
Page Contents
Cisco 2960X Password Recovery – Step 1
Ensure the switch is powered off and locate the Mode button as shown below.
Whilst holding down the Mode button power up the switch ensuring the mode button stays depressed.
You need to wait between 30-40 seconds or if watching the console until the text USB Console INIT appears, let go of the mode button when you see this and it will then drop you into the switch: prompt
Cisco 2960x Password Recovery – Step 2
Once you are at the switch: prompt enter the command
flash_init
Then at the next prompt enter
dir flash:
You should then see all the files in flash – you now need to rename the config.text file to config old
rename flash:config.text flash:config.old
!— The config.text file contains the password !— definition.
After this reload the switch with the following command
boot
When the switch reloads it will ignore the startup config and ask you if you want to configure this switch
Just say NO
Then rename the config.old file back to config.text
rename flash:config.old flash:config.text
Copy the configuration file into memory.
copy flash:config.text system:running-config
The configuration file is now reloaded, overwrite any passwords that you did not know
write the config and you are back into your switch
Frequently asked questions
How do I reset my Cisco 2960 to factory settings and how do I reset the password on my Catalyst 2960?
Both procedures listed above will allow you to reset your 2960 to factory settings and also reset the password. The only difference is that during a password reset you want to retain your config and during a factory reset you are not concerned with retaining the configuration.
Roger Perkin - CCIE #50038 is a Network Automation Engineer & CCIE Consultant based in the UK, currently working for Softcat Plc as a Senior Network & Security Consultant.
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THis procedure worked perfectly, and saved me from reloading configs on 8 switches. thanks!
Glad it worked for you Joseph!
will it wipe off all the configuration in the switch? or it will just reset the login password?
If you follow the steps correctly it will not wipe the configuration off the switch, only change the password. However if you are concerned when you bypass the password, take a copy of the config before you reload the switch.