To reset the BIOS password on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q , you must use the physical Clear CMOS (Maintenance) jumper
located on the motherboard. This process will clear lost or forgotten power-on and supervisor passwords, though it does apply to hard disk passwords. Preparation and Safety
Before starting, ensure you have a clean workspace and a Phillips-head screwdriver. Power Down
: Turn off the computer and disconnect all cables, including the power adapter. Open the Chassis
: Remove the single screw at the rear and slide the top cover forward to expose the internal components. Static Safety
: Touch a grounded metal object to discharge static electricity before touching any internal parts. Step-by-Step Reset Procedure The M720q uses a specific jumper block, often labeled
, located near the Wi-Fi antenna or corner of the motherboard. Locate the Jumper : Find the Clear CMOS / Maintenance jumper . In its default "Normal" position, the jumper connects pins 6 and 5 (or pins 1 and 2 on some variants). Move to Maintenance Position Disconnect the AC adapter.
Move the jumper from its standard position to the maintenance position (connecting pins 2 and 4
Some users found removing the RAM on the backside during this process critical for a full reset. Power On for Reset Connect the power cord and turn the computer on.
Wait for a series of beeps (typically 2-5 sets). This indicates the BIOS is in maintenance mode and clearing the settings. Let it run for approximately 10 to 30 seconds after the beeps. Finalize the Reset
Turn off the computer by holding the power button for 5 seconds. Disconnect the power cord again. Move the jumper back
to its original standard position (connecting pins 6 and 5 or 1 and 2). Reassemble and Verify Replace the cover and reconnect your peripherals. Power on and repeatedly tap to enter the BIOS Setup.
The password prompt should no longer appear, allowing you to configure new security settings. Alternative: CMOS Battery Method
If the jumper method is inaccessible, you can try a "hard" CMOS reset by removing the internal battery. Remove the CMOS Battery
: Locate the coin-cell battery on the motherboard and remove it. Drain Power
: With the battery removed and power unplugged, hold the power button for 30 seconds to drain residual electricity. : Leave the battery out for at least 15–20 minutes
(some users recommend longer for persistent supervisor passwords) before reinstalling it. Are you currently seeing a specific error code on the screen, or is it just the
Erasing lost or forgotten passwords (clearing CMOS) - Lenovo lenovo thinkcentre m720q bios password reset
Unlocking a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
when the BIOS password is forgotten involves a physical "Clear CMOS" process. Lenovo designs these systems so that simply removing the battery often isn't enough; you must use the motherboard's maintenance jumper to reset the security settings. Essential Preparation
Before starting, ensure you have a clean workspace and the following:
A flat-head or Phillips screwdriver (depending on your specific chassis screw).
Anti-static protection (touch a metal object before touching the internal components).
Warning: This process will reset all BIOS settings to factory defaults. Step-by-Step Reset Procedure 1. Power Down and Open the Chassis
Turn off the computer and disconnect all cables, especially the power cord.
Slide the computer cover toward the front or rear (after removing the single thumb screw at the back) to expose the motherboard. 2. Locate the "Clear CMOS" Jumper
On the M720q motherboard, look for a small plastic jumper block (often red or blue).
It is typically located in the upper-left corner near the Wi-Fi antenna or rear ports.
In the Lenovo Maintenance Manual, this is officially called the Clear CMOS / Recovery jumper. 3. Move the Jumper to Maintenance Position The jumper is normally on pins 1 and 2 (Standard position).
Carefully pull the jumper off and move it to pins 2 and 3 (Maintenance position). 4. Clear the Password Plug the power cord back in and turn the computer on.
The system will not boot into Windows. Instead, it may beep or display a message indicating it is in maintenance mode.
Leave it on for about 10–20 seconds, then turn it off by holding the power button for 5 seconds. Crucial Step: Unplug the power cord again. 5. Restore to Standard Position
Move the jumper back from pins 2 and 3 to the original pins 1 and 2. Replace the computer cover and reconnect all cables. 6. Verify the Reset
Turn on the computer and immediately tap F1 to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.
The password prompt should no longer appear. You can now set a new password or leave it blank. Troubleshooting & Limitations To reset the BIOS password on a Lenovo
Supervisor vs. Hard Drive Passwords: The jumper method resets the Power-On and Supervisor passwords. It will NOT reset a Hard Disk Password (HDP). If the hard drive itself is locked, Lenovo typically requires a drive replacement as they cannot recover that data.
If it fails: Some users report that removing the RAM during the beep phase helps force a deeper reset on certain "Tiny" models, though this is not the official Lenovo-documented step.
Official Support: If the jumper method fails, Lenovo's official policy for lost Supervisor passwords usually requires a system board replacement.
Please help. ThinkCentre M920Q thin client BIOS reset : r/Lenovo
For anyone that lands here because of Google: If the supervisor password is set, remove the power cable. Move the jumper on JP35 ( Reddit·r/Lenovo
Please help. ThinkCentre M920Q thin client BIOS reset : r/Lenovo
For anyone that lands here because of Google: If the supervisor password is set, remove the power cable. Move the jumper on JP35 ( Reddit·r/Lenovo
Erasing lost or forgotten passwords (clearing CMOS) - Lenovo
To reset the BIOS password on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q, you must physically manipulate a specific jumper on the motherboard known as the Clear CMOS (or Recovery) jumper. Unlike many laptops, simply removing the CMOS battery is often insufficient to clear a supervisor password on this model. The Reset Procedure
For the Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q, the reset involves moving a jumper on the JP35 jumper block (typically located in the top-left corner of the motherboard near the Wi-Fi antenna).
Preparation: Power off the computer and disconnect all cables, including the AC power adapter.
Access the Motherboard: Remove the screw at the back and slide the computer cover forward to expose the internal components.
Locate the Jumper: Find the SW_CLR_CMOS jumper. On this model, it is often part of a larger pin block (JP35). The default position typically connects pins 5 and 6.
Move the Jumper: Move the jumper from its standard position to the maintenance position, connecting pins 2 and 4.
Note: Some community guides suggest removing the RAM on the backside during this process for a more reliable reset.
Trigger the Clear: Reconnect the AC power adapter and press the power button. The system will not display video but should emit a series of beeps (often 4–5 series of double beeps). Revert and Finalize: Power off and disconnect the power again.
Move the jumper back to its original position (pins 5 and 6). Reassemble the unit and reconnect power. Supervisor (Setup) password — protects BIOS settings
Verify: Power on and press F1 or F12 to enter BIOS. The password prompt should no longer appear, or you may be prompted to set a new one. Important Limitations
Supervisor Passwords: This jumper method is specifically designed to clear "User" and "Supervisor" passwords. However, if a Hard Disk Password is set, this hardware reset will not clear it; you must remember the password or replace the drive.
Authorized Support: If you cannot locate the jumper or the hardware reset fails, Lenovo recommends contacting an authorized service provider, as motherboard replacement may be necessary for security reasons.
To reset the BIOS password on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q , you must use the physical Clear CMOS (JP35)
jumper on the motherboard. Standard methods like removing the CMOS battery are typically ineffective for clearing the Supervisor password on this specific model. BIOS Password Reset Procedure Preparation
: Disconnect the AC power adapter and all peripheral cables. Remove the computer cover by loosening the rear screw and sliding the chassis forward. Locate the Jumper : Find the Clear CMOS / Recovery jumper (labeled as SW_CLR_CMOS
) on the system board. In its default state, it usually covers pins Clear CMOS Mode
Move the jumper to the maintenance position, connecting pins Connect the power adapter and turn on the computer. Wait until you hear a series of beeps (usually 4–5 sets
or double beeps), which indicates the clear process is active. Restore Standard Position Turn off the computer and disconnect the power.
Move the jumper back to its original standard position (connecting pins Final Setup
: Reassemble the case and reconnect the power. Turn on the system and repeatedly tap to enter the Lenovo BIOS Setup ; the password prompt should no longer appear. Important Safety and Configuration Notes Data Preservation
: After clearing the password, your BIOS settings will return to factory defaults. You may need to re-enter custom settings for RAID or Optane configurations to ensure the OS boots correctly. Manual Reference
: For detailed diagrams of your specific motherboard layout, refer to the M720q Hardware Maintenance Manual provided by Lenovo Support exact location of the JP35 jumper on your motherboard diagram? M720q-Cmos-Maintenance-Jumper-Position
A BIOS (or UEFI) password prevents unauthorized changes to firmware settings or prevents booting. On the ThinkCentre M720q there are typically two relevant passwords:
Approach depends on whether you can boot, have proof of ownership, and whether the device is managed (e.g., company IT).
Before we dive into solutions, it’s critical to understand why resetting the BIOS on an M720q is harder than on a desktop from 2005.
Bottom line: Pulling the button cell battery off the motherboard for a few seconds will not clear the password on this model.
After testing dozens of ThinkCentre Tiny models (M700, M710q, M720q, M920q), the most consistent method involves shorting two specific pins on the main IO chip (EC – Embedded Controller) during boot.
This method voids warranties and can damage your PC if done incorrectly. You have been warned.