In this topic I will explain list of steps to recover Cisco router password (enable and enable secret)  in case you forget password.

List are the steps :

  1. Turn off the router.
  2. Remove the compact flash of the router (removing flash will ensure that your router boots into rommon mode ).
  3. Turn on the router.
  4. When router is on it will be in Rommon mode,

                  rommon 1>

  1. Reinsert the compact flash.
  2. Type Confreg0x2142 at the rommon prompt to bypasses the startup configuration where the passwords are stored.

                 rommon 1>confreg 0x2142

  1. Type reset at the rommon  prompt. The router reboots, but ignores the saved configuration.

               rommon 2>reset

  1. Router will run the setup dialog ,type no or press Ctrl-C in order to skip the initial setup .

               Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog? [yes/no]: n

               Press RETURN to get started!

  1. Type enable at the Router> prompt to proceed to Privileged exec mode.

                Router>enable

                Router#

  1. Type configure memory or copy startup-config running-config to copy the startup configuration to the running configuration.

                Router#copy startup-config running-config

“ Do not enter copy running-config startup-config or write. These commands will erase your configuration”

  1. View configuration file by issue the command show running-config.

“passwords (enable password, enable secret, vty, and console passwords) are in either an encrypted or unencrypted format. You can reuse unencrypted passwords”

  1. From the privilege prompt enter global configuration by typing config t

              Router#config t

              Router(config)#

  1. Issue command  enable secret <password>in order to change the enable secret

              Router(config)#enable secret cisco

              Router(config)#

  1. All interfaces are in shutdown state ,Issue the no shutdown command on every interface to enable.
  2. Type config-register 0x2102 to return to normal operation.
  3. In order to leave the configuration mode type end or press Ctrl-z .
  4. Save configuration by write memory or  copy running-config startup-config.
  5. Reload the router and verify all passwords.