How to Reset or Recover the Admin Password on Cisco Nexus 7K/9K

Forgetting the admin password on a Cisco Nexus 7000 or 9000 series switch can be frustrating, but you can reset or recover it using recovery mode. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to regain access to your switch safely and efficiently.

Prerequisites

Before starting the recovery process, ensure you have:

• ✅ Physical access to the Cisco Nexus device
• ✅ A console connection to the switch using a terminal emulator (e.g., PuTTY, SecureCRT, or Tera Term)
• ✅ A FAT32-formatted USB drive containing a valid NX-OS firmware (.bin) file (if needed)

Step 1: Interrupt the Boot Sequence

To initiate password recovery, interrupt the boot sequence as follows:

1. Power on or restart the switch.
2. During the boot process, repeatedly press CTRL + C until you see the loader> prompt.

If successful, you should see an output similar to:

loader>

Step 2: Enable Recovery Mode

Before proceeding with the boot process, enable recovery mode by entering the following command:

loader> cmdline recoverymode=1

Step 3: Boot the System Using an NX-OS Image

At this point, you need to load an NX-OS image to continue with the recovery process.

Scenario 1: Booting from an Existing Image

If a valid NX-OS image is available in bootflash, you can check for its presence by running:

loader> dir bootflash:

If an NX-OS binary file (e.g., nxos.9.3.11.bin) is available, boot the system using:

loader> boot bootflash:nxos.9.3.11.bin

Scenario 2: Booting from a USB Drive

If no NX-OS image is found in bootflash, you need to boot from a USB drive containing a compatible NX-OS firmware (.bin) file.

1. Insert the FAT32-formatted USB drive into the switch.
2. Check for available USB devices using:

   loader> dir usb2:

3. If an NX-OS image is detected (e.g., nxos.9.3.11.bin), boot the system with:

   loader> boot usb2:nxos.9.3.11.bin

Step 4: Initialize the System

Once the switch boots up successfully, you should see the switch(boot)# prompt, indicating that the system is now running in recovery mode.

To proceed, enter:

switch(boot)# init system

Warning: This will erase all configuration and system data and reset the switch to factory defaults.

Step 5: Reboot and Set a New Admin Password

After completing the init system process, reboot the switch in factory-reset mode:

switch(boot)# reload-nxos

What Happens After Reboot?

• The switch will go through the initial setup process.
• You will see all initial prompts, including the password creation screen.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to set a new admin password.

Post-Recovery Actions

Case 1: Missing NX-OS Firmware After Reboot

If the firmware is missing after reboot, follow these steps:

1. Reboot the switch and enter loader mode using CTRL + C.
2. Boot from the USB drive (as explained in Step 3).
3. Once the system is up, permanently install the NX-OS firmware using:

   install all nxos nxos.9.3.11.bin

4. Reboot the switch again:

   reload

Case 2: Restoring a Backup Configuration

If you have a backup configuration file stored on an external device, you can restore it to minimize downtime:

copy usb2:backup-config.cfg startup-config

Apply the configuration and reload the switch.

Conclusion

By following this step-by-step guide, you can successfully reset or recover the admin password on a Cisco Nexus 7K/9K switch. Whether you’re booting from an existing NX-OS image or using a USB drive, this method ensures a quick and efficient recovery process.

If you encounter any issues, refer to Cisco’s official documentation or contact Cisco TAC support for further assistance.

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