How to Reset BMC Password

This article explains how to reset the BMC password using ipmitool, covering both remote reset (when you still have network access to the BMC) and local reset (when the BMC password is unknown or missing).

Overview

There are two scenarios for resetting the BMC password:

1. Remote reset — You still have valid BMC credentials and network access. Use ipmitool over LAN to trigger a password reset remotely.
2. Local reset — The BMC password is unknown or missing. You must run ipmitool directly on the local host (in-band) to reset without credentials.

Note: After either reset, the BMC will restart automatically. You will need to use the BMC default password to log in after the restart.

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Prerequisites

Item	Requirement
Tool	ipmitool installed
Remote reset	Network access to BMC IP + valid credentials
Local reset	Physical or console access to the server OS

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Scenario 1: Remote Reset

Use this method when you still have valid BMC credentials and network access.

Command

ipmitool -H {BMC_IP} -U {BMC_username} -P {BMC_password} raw 0x32 0x66

Replace {BMC_IP}, {BMC_username}, and {BMC_password} with the actual values.

Example

ipmitool -H 192.168.1.100 -U admin -P current_password raw 0x32 0x66

Result

The BMC will restart automatically. After the restart, log in using the BMC default password.

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Scenario 2: Local Reset (Password Missing)

Use this method when the BMC password is unknown or missing and remote access is unavailable.

Command

Run the following command directly on the server (in-band, no IP or credentials required):

ipmitool raw 0x32 0x66

Result

The BMC will restart automatically. After the restart, log in using the BMC default password.

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After Reset

Once the BMC restarts, log in with the factory default credentials. The default username and password are printed on the server’s service label or documented in the platform’s hardware guide.

It is recommended to change the BMC password immediately after logging in with the default credentials.