Resetting BIOS/UEFI returns firmware settings toward their defaults. It is not the same as resetting Windows, and an incorrect firmware change can prevent Windows from booting.
Steps
- Save the BitLocker/device-encryption recovery key and record important firmware settings before changing anything.
- Open Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.
- Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart when that option is available.
- In the firmware interface, use the documented Load/Restore Optimized Defaults or Setup Defaults command for your exact PC/motherboard.
- Review boot mode, storage settings, Secure Boot, virtualization, and other critical values before saving and exiting.
How it works
Defaults can change storage-controller mode, boot order, Secure Boot, fan/memory settings, or virtualization. On managed PCs, firmware settings may also be governed by IT. If UEFI Firmware Settings is absent, use the manufacturer’s documented startup key.
Important considerations
Do not clear TPM or security keys as part of an ordinary BIOS reset. Clearing security hardware can affect encrypted data and credentials.
Practical guidance
If the PC no longer boots after loading defaults, return to firmware and compare the recorded storage/boot settings. Systems installed with a particular RAID/AHCI mode may depend on it. Restoring defaults should be a troubleshooting step with a recovery plan, not a routine performance tweak.
More detail
A BIOS reset also resets custom fan curves, XMP/EXPO memory profiles, boot priorities, and other performance settings on many enthusiast motherboards. Photograph the relevant pages beforehand. If the reset is intended to troubleshoot instability, run at defaults first before re-enabling overclocking or memory profiles.
What the reset option is usually called
| Brand | Common option name |
|---|---|
| ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock (desktop boards) | Load Optimized Defaults, often on F5 or F9 |
| Dell | Restore Settings or Load Defaults |
| HP | Load Setup Defaults or Load Default Options (HP’s own guide uses these names) |
| Lenovo | Load Default Configuration or Load Setup Defaults |
Names and keys change between models and firmware versions, so check the on-screen key legend or your manual. If you need to find the setup key first, see how to open BIOS on an ASUS PC or how to enter BIOS on a Dell.
If the PC won’t start: clear CMOS on a desktop
When a bad setting stops the PC from reaching the BIOS screen, a desktop motherboard can be reset by hardware:
- Shut down, switch off the power supply, and unplug the PC.
- Look for a Clear CMOS button on the rear panel or a CLR_CMOS jumper on the motherboard, and follow the manual’s steps.
- If there’s no button or jumper, remove the coin-cell battery for a few minutes, then reinsert it.
- Reconnect power and start the PC. You’ll usually see a message that settings were reset.
On laptops, battery access is often difficult or voids the warranty. Contact the manufacturer instead.
Check these settings after a reset
- Date and time. Correct them if they reset.
- Boot order. Make sure Windows Boot Manager is first.
- Storage mode. If Windows was installed with RAID or Intel RST mode, switching to AHCI by default can cause an INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error. Set it back to the original mode.
- Secure Boot and TPM. Windows 11 expects both to be on.
- XMP or EXPO. Re-enable your memory profile if you used one.
Related: Disable Fast Boot in Windows 11.
Frequently asked questions
Will resetting BIOS delete my files?
No. It only changes firmware settings. Your drives and Windows aren’t touched, although a wrong setting can stop Windows from starting until it’s corrected.
Is resetting BIOS the same as updating it?
No. Updating installs new firmware. See how to update BIOS, and how to check your BIOS version first.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.