MikroTik

MikroTik RouterOS Password Recovery

Recover access to a MikroTik device by reinstalling RouterOS via Netinstall or resetting the configuration.

Overview

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for resetting lost or forgotten administrative passwords on enterprise networking hardware. Follow the procedure below carefully to regain access while preserving your device configuration.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with password recovery, ensure you have a console cable, terminal emulation software configured to 9600 baud, and physical access to the device.

Step 1: Establish Console Connection

Connect your terminal cable to the console port of the device and open your serial terminal session.

Step 2: Interrupt the Boot Sequence

Power cycle the hardware and issue a Break key sequence during initial system startup to enter ROMMON mode.

Step 3: Reset Password & Configuration

Bypass startup configuration loading, boot into system software, set your new credentials, and save changes back to non-volatile memory.

Overview

RouterOS does not expose a password-recovery console menu. A lost password is recovered either by resetting the configuration with the reset button, or by reinstalling RouterOS with Netinstall.

Option 1 — reset the configuration

With the device powered on, press and hold the Reset button until the LED starts flashing, then release.
The device clears its configuration and reboots with no password.
Log in with the default admin account and no password, then set a new one immediately.
Restore your configuration from a backup.

Option 2 — Netinstall

Download Netinstall and the matching RouterOS package from MikroTik.
Connect the device's first Ethernet port directly to a PC running Netinstall.
Put the device into boot mode by holding Reset while powering on until it appears in Netinstall.
Reinstall the RouterOS package, then reconfigure the device.

Note

Both options erase configuration — keep exported configuration backups (/export) for every MikroTik device.