10 Steps to Reset Cisco Catalyst Switch Password

Step 1: Connect your PC or terminal into the switch console port with the blue console cable.

Step 2: Open Putty or any terminal to console into the switch.

Step 3: Unplug the power cable to the switch.

Step 4: Press and hold the MODE button on the front of the switch and plug the power cable back into the switch (make sure while plugging in power cable mode button is pressed) After the power cable has been plugged in, wait a couple of seconds and then release the MODE button.

Step 5: Your display on Putty should look like this (switch:)

Step 6: Enter these commands into the switch

• switch: flash _init
• switch: load_helper
• switch: dir flash:

[Check the flash and look for config file, if the name is config.text then change it.]

• switch: rename flash:config.text flash:config.text.old
• switch: boot

Step 7: Once the switch reboots, answer NO to “Would you like to enter system configuration dialog? [Yes/No]:

Step 8: Get into the privilege prompt.

• Switch>enable
• Switch#rename flash:config.text.old flash:config.text
• Switch#copy flash:config.text system:running-config
• Source filename [config.text]?
• Destination filename [running-config]?
• Press Enter to copy
• 
  

Step 9: Get into global configuration

• Switch#conf t
• Switch (config)#enable secret password
• Enter the password you would like

Step 10: Return to Privilege mode and save your config

• Switch (config)#exit
• Switch#copy run start