Password Recovery for Cisco Catalyst Switches

Steps to reset password for Cisco Catalyst Switches:

1. Connect PC with console cable
2. Unplug the power cable to the switch
3. Reconnect the power to the switch. Press and hold the Mode button while System LED is flashing green. After System LED turns amber and then solid green, release the Mode button.

If process followed correctly, the following message should be displayed:

flash_init
load_helper
boot

4.Enter these commands into the switch

Switch: flash_init
Switch: load_helper
Switch: dir flash:
Switch: rename flash:config.text flash:config.text.old
Switch: boot

5. Once the switch boot, answer NO to “Would you like to enter initial/system configuration dialog? [yes/no]:

6. Get into the privilege prompt
Switch> enable

7. Get into global configuration
Switch# conf t
Switch(config)# enable secret y0urPa$$word
Or,
Switch(config)# username admin privilege 15 secret y0urPa$$word

8. Save config
Switch(config)# exit
Switch# copy run start
Switch# reload