cisco switch password recovery

Below procedure will work normally for cisco 2900XL , 3500XL , 2940 , 2950 , 2960 , 2970 , 3560 , 3750 series switches and for other models few minor changes will be required.

If you are looking for cisco switch password recovery then you can read below post:

Cisco Router Password Recovery

1. Unplug the power cable from switch.
2. Hold the MODE  button. (MODE button is generally located on the left of front panel)
3. Connect the power cable.
4. Release the MODE  button
   1. If you are using 2900XL or 3500XL then release the mode button once SYST LED blinks green.
   1. If you are using 2940 or 2950 then release the mode button after approximately 5 seconds when STAT LED  goes out. STAT LED will blink AMBER after release the mode button.
   1. If you are using 2960 or 2970  then release the mode button once SYST LED blinks AMBER and turns solid green. SYST LED will blink green after release the MODE button.
   1. If you are using 3560 or 3750 then release the mode button after approximately 15 seconds When  SYST LED blinks solid green. SYST LED will blink green after release the MODE button.
5. Enter the Flash_init command
6. Enter the load_helper command
7. Enter the dir flash: command
8. Rename the file name by entering rename flash:config.txt flash:config.old
9. Enter the boot command
10. Enter the n to continue with configuration
11. Enter in privileged mode by entering enable command
12. Rename the file name by entering rename flash:config.old flash:config.txt
13. Move the file into running comfig file by entering copy flash:config.txt sytem:running.config
14. Change the passwords which you want. Below is the example

Switch#conf t

Switch(config)# enable secret cisco@1234

Switch(config)# line vty 0 4

Switch(config-line)#password Cisco#4321

1. Save the configuration by entering write memory command

All above steps are taken from real environment and tested. but please notice on cisco switch model because MODE button behaves differently with switch models.

Thanks for reading …………

For router password recovery, please read my another post. you can find that post from menu.