Scenario:
Make: Dell Networking
Model: Dell N-Series switches [N1100, N1500, N2000, N3000 and N4000 series, e.g. N2048, N3048, N4032, N4064]
Mode: CLI [Console]
Description: In this article, we will discuss a stepwise method of how to reset a forgotten password on a Dell N-Series switch using the console and the built-in password recovery option, without losing the switch configuration.
Before You Start
- You need physical access. Password recovery only works from the console port, which protects the switch from remote attacks.
- Plan a short outage. The switch must be rebooted twice, so all connected devices lose network access for a few minutes each time. On a stack, the whole stack reboots.
- Your configuration is kept. Password recovery boots the switch while bypassing the login passwords; it does not erase VLANs, interfaces or other settings. If you want to wipe everything instead, use the Restore Configuration to Factory Defaults option, which is a different process.
You will need:
- A laptop with a terminal program such as PuTTY or Tera Term.
- A console cable: RJ45-to-serial or micro-USB, depending on your model, plus a USB-to-serial adapter if your laptop has no serial port.
- Console settings: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, no flow control.
Steps to Reset the Password
Step 1: Connect to the Console
Connect the console cable from your laptop to the switch’s console port and open PuTTY. Select “Serial”, enter the COM port your adapter uses (check Windows Device Manager) and set the speed to 9600. Press Enter once to check that you see the switch prompt or login screen.
Step 2: Reboot the Switch
Because you cannot log in, power-cycle the switch: unplug the power cable, wait about 10 seconds and plug it back in. Keep the console session open. On a stack, connect to the stack master and power-cycle the stack.
Step 3: Watch for the Boot Options
Watch the console carefully as the switch boots. The boot options appear for only a few seconds.
Step 4: Open the Boot Menu
When you see Dell Networking Boot Options, press 2 straight away to display the boot menu:
Dell Networking Boot Options
============================
Select a menu option within 5 seconds or the Operational Code will start automatically...
1 - Start Operational Code
2 - Display Boot Menu
Select (1, 2)# 2If you miss the 5-second window and the switch starts normally, simply power-cycle it again.
Step 5: Start Password Recovery
In the Boot Main Menu, choose Start Password Recovery. On most N-Series firmware, this is option 12:
Boot Main Menu
==============
1 - Start Operational Code
2 - Select Baud Rate
3 - Retrieve Logs
4 - Load New Operational Code
5 - Display Operational Code Details
9 - Reboot
10 - Restore Configuration to Factory Defaults
11 - Activate Backup Image
12 - Start Password Recovery
Enter Choice# 12Important Note: Read the menu carefully and select Start Password Recovery, not Restore Configuration to Factory Defaults. Option numbers can differ between firmware versions, and choosing the factory-default option erases the entire configuration.
Step 6: Wait for the Switch to Boot
The switch loads its operating system in password recovery mode. This takes a few minutes:
Starting Operational Code for Password Recovery...
Extracting Operational Code from .stk file...done.
Loading Operational Code...done.
Decompressing Operational Code...done.
4 START_OPR_CODE_PASSWD_RECOVERY MODE
...When it finishes, you are taken straight to the privileged prompt, without being asked for a password. The hostname is shown as usual, which confirms that your configuration has loaded.
Step 7: Set a New Password
Create or update the admin user and set a new enable password. Use your own strong passwords:
edledge-switch#configure
edledge-switch(config)#username admin password NewStr0ngPass! privilege 15
edledge-switch(config)#enable password NewStr0ngEnable!
edledge-switch(config)#exitStep 8: Save the Configuration
Save the change, so the new password is kept after the next reboot:
edledge-switch#copy running-config startup-config
This operation may take few minutes. Management interfaces will not be available during this time.
Are you sure you want to save? (y/n) y
Configuration Saved!Step 9: Reload the Switch
Reboot the switch so it starts in normal mode:
edledge-switch#reload
Are you sure you want to reload the stack? (y/n) yStep 10: Log In with the New Password
After the switch has started, log in on the console or over SSH with the new username and password, then check the accounts:
edledge-switch#show users accountsThe password of your Dell switch is now reset.
Troubleshooting
- Nothing appears in the console – check the COM port number and that the speed is 9600. Try another USB-to-serial adapter or install its driver.
- The boot options never appear – the console speed may have been changed. Try other speeds such as 115200, or check the switch documentation.
- Still asked for a password after reloading – the configuration was not saved in Step 8. Repeat the process and save before reloading.
- New password works on the console but not over SSH – the switch may use RADIUS or TACACS+ for remote logins. Check the aaa authentication settings, and see Radius Configuration On Dell Switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting the password erase my Dell switch configuration?
No. The Start Password Recovery option keeps the configuration. Only Restore Configuration to Factory Defaults erases it.
Can I reset a Dell switch password remotely?
No. Password recovery requires console access to the switch, for security reasons.
What is the default console speed of Dell N-Series switches?
9600 baud, with 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit and no flow control.
Planning to upgrade the firmware while you have access? See Dell N4000 Series Standalone Switch Firmware Upgrade. To set up central logins, refer to Configure Radius Authentication on Dell Switch and Radius Failover On Dell Switch.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not professional financial, medical, or legal advice. It may contain affiliate links, which earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our Disclaimer and Affiliate Disclosure.
Article ID: EA00046