Tech Tip - How to Clear Admin Password

Ebben

Author: Ebben Joslin, Technical Support Supervisor

Published on November 7th, 2025


Covers:

  • – HP Enterprise and Managed Devices

Description:

In today’s blog we will be discussing an increasingly common topic in our tech calls – how to clear out the administrator password on an HP Printer. Admin passwords are set up through user input, not the manufacturer, meaning that there is not a universal or default password that can be used to unlock a printer.

An admin password implemented on a printer may make it harder or fully halt troubleshooting or repairing the device. The password can cause some menus, such as Settings or Utilities, to be inaccessible by the average tech, as they will be prompted to enter a password upon selecting the menu. If the password is unavailable, you will have to factory reset the device.

Diagram of locked menus

The password can be cleared by following one of these following procedures:

  • Contact the administrator to remove the password or to temporarily unlock the device for troubleshooting.
  • If contacting an admin is not an option:
    • Perform either a “partial clean” or a “cold reset” from the preboot menu (removes user data but retains firmware).
    • Perform a “Format disk” from the preboot menu. This will require firmware to be reloaded.
      *** In most cases a “partial clean” or “cold reset” will be sufficient, unless a full refresh of the device is desired ***

It is not possible to clear the admin password without removing other stored data such as email contacts, address books, and network configurations. While you might notice a setting in the preboot, service tools menu called “Clear admin password”, selecting this will NOT clear the password from the device and will just return you to the previous menu.

Note: Testing relating to this blog was performed on HP FutureSmart Firmware 5.9.0.2; previous or future versions may differ.