How to enter the BootUtil Menu to factory reset the switch with the console cable

TP-Link BootUtil menu enables some advanced features, such as activating the backup image, recovering the password, and factory resetting. If you forget the username or password, you can access the menu to recover the password or directly reset the switch, with the RJ45 console cable or Micro-USB console cable. In this article, we will share how to reset the switch with the BootUtil menu and Micro-USB cable.

Step 1. Connect your computer to the switch.

If your computer has a serial port (COM), please connect it to the console port (RJ45) of the switch, with the RJ45 console cable.

If you only have USB ports on your computer, you can get a USB-to-RS232 cable. You may need to install the RS232 driver for the cable, which is provided by your cable vendor.

You can also choose a Micro-USB cable that supports data transfer to connect your computer to the switch. Then for Windows computers, please click here to download and install the TP-Link USB Console Driver then continue. For Mac, please follow FAQ 3177.

Note: Compared with the RJ45 Console cable and USB-to-RS232 cable, it might be more difficult to enter the BootUtil with a Micro-USB cable. If you still cannot enter the BootUtil after several attempts, you may get a USB-to-RS232 cable.

Step 2. Install a Terminal Emulator.

If you use the console cable, you can choose the Terminal Emulator according to your custom.

Here we use the Micro-USB cable, some emulators, such as Putty or HyperTerminal, cannot support entering the BootUtil menu. We recommend “Tera Term”, which you can download and install from the official website: https://teratermproject.github.io/index-en.html

Step 3. Set parameters for console connection.

Run Tera Term or other emulators, choose the correct COM port.

Set the connection parameters as below (for Tera Term, please go to Setup --- Serial Port).

Step 4. Power On the switch to enter the BootUtil menu.

Power on the switch and keep clicking the keyboard to stop autoboot, then you will enter the BootUtil menu.

Enter the number of the corresponding feature.

To factory reset the switch, type 2 then enter.

To recover the password, type 6 then enter.

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