How to Fix a Computer’s BIOS That Keeps Resetting: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Is your computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) going crazy? If you’ve ever turned on your computer and heard the fans going extremely loud, even though you just powered it on, or if your computer keeps restarting over and over again when you try to boot it up, you might be dealing with a weird issue where your computer’s BIOS is resetting itself randomly. This article will guide you through diagnosing and fixing this frustrating problem.

What is BIOS, and What Does It Do?

The BIOS is a tiny program that lives on your motherboard. It controls how your computer starts up and communicates with all the other parts, such as the CPU, RAM, and hard drives. Usually, it loads up some default settings and then hands control over to your operating system.

Common Causes of BIOS Keep Resetting:

When the CMOS battery is in poor health, the BIOS might reset and forget all the custom settings you had previously set, like your RAM’s XMP settings, any overclocking tweaks, or security settings such as TPM and Secure Boot. This can cause suboptimal performance and stability issues. Dead CMOS Battery: Most of the time, a BIOS that keeps resetting is caused by a dead CMOS battery, which powers the BIOS settings. The issue can still happen even if the CMOS battery is excellent. Outdated BIOS Firmware: Even with a new battery, the resets can keep occurring randomly if the BIOS firmware is outdated. Sometimes, motherboard models have known issues that can be fixed with a new firmware update. Overheating Components: Overheating components like the CPU or graphics card can cause the BIOS to reset as a protective measure. Aggressive Overclocking Settings: Too aggressive overclocking settings can make the system unstable, causing the BIOS to reset. Bad or Overclocked RAM Sticks: Faulty or overclocked RAM sticks can lead to BIOS resets.

How to Fix a BIOS reset issue:

1. Update the BIOS Firmware: Updating the BIOS firmware to the latest version from your motherboard maker’s website can solve the constant resetting issue. However, be careful when updating firmware, as not following the instructions can completely break your motherboard.

2. Try replacing the CMOS Battery: If updating the firmware doesn’t work, check if the battery is dead and replace it if necessary. Even if the battery seems fine, it’s worth trying a new one to see if it solves the problem.

3. Monitor Temperatures and Reset Overclocking Settings: Check the temperatures of components like the CPU and graphics card, and reset any overclocking settings to their default values.

4. Reseat RAM and Cable Connections: Remove and reseat the RAM sticks and check all cable connections to ensure they are securely connected. 5. Replace Faulty Hardware: If none of the above steps work, you may need to replace faulty hardware components.

How to Safely Reset BIOS Settings to Default

If you’ve tried all the above steps and still face BIOS resets, resetting your BIOS settings to default might help. Here’s how to do it safely:

  1. You can enter your BIOS setup during startup by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2, Del, or F10).
  2. Look for an option called “Load Setup Defaults,” “Reset to Default,” or something similar.
  3. Select this option and confirm the action.
  4. 4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS setup.

When to consider resetting the BIOS settings to default

Consider resetting your BIOS settings to default if you’ve made changes that have led to instability or exhausted all other troubleshooting options. Resetting the BIOS can also help if you’ve recently updated your BIOS and are experiencing issues.

Post-reset actions: What do you do after resetting your BIOS?

After resetting your BIOS, you may need to reconfigure some settings, such as boot order, date and time, and any previous custom settings. Monitoring your system for any further issues is also a good idea.

How to update your BIOS for a better experience

Updating your BIOS can be risky if not done correctly. Here’s how to do it safely:

  1. Depending on the Motherboard brand, find the current version by pressing the DEL or F2 button.
  2. Go to the manufacturer’s website and choose the support and download page.
  3. Please read the instructions carefully and follow them exactly.
  4. Download the correct version of BIOS into USB.
  5. Shut down the machine and plug the USB into your motherboard’s USB port.
  6. Press the BiosFlash Button on the Motherboard or Go to BIOS, then tools and BIOS Flash option.
  7. Ensure your computer is connected to a stable power source during the update process.
  8. Do not interrupt the update process, leading to a bricked motherboard.

Dealing with a corrupted BIOS: Recovery tips and tricks

In rare cases, a BIOS update can go wrong, leading to a corrupted BIOS. If this happens, you may need to use a BIOS recovery feature or resort to more advanced techniques like a BIOS chip programmer. If you’re unsure how to proceed, it’s best to seek our professional help.

Conclusion:

Dealing with a BIOS that keeps resetting can be frustrating, but the good news is that you can quickly diagnose and fix the problem by following the steps outlined in this guide. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when updating your BIOS or changing your system. With a bit of persistence and patience, your computer will be back running smoothly. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please get in touch with us to seek our professional help.