How to Reset the Real-Time Clock (RTC) to Recover Your Dell Desktop System

Table of contents:

1. Real-Time Clock (RTC) reset
2. Dell Inspiron, OptiPlex, Dell Precision, XPS, and Vostro Desktops equipped with RTC reset
3. Desktop computers with Jumper Reset Option

Real-Time Clock (RTC) reset

The Real-Time Clock (RTC) reset function allows you or the service technician to recover Dell Inspiron, OptiPlex, Dell Precision, Vostro, or XPS Desktop computer from issues such as No POST, No Power, and No Boot. Examples of these issues include;

• Failure to successfully complete the Power-On Self-Test (POST) with a power LED error code (2,2 or 2,6 for example)
• Stops responding at the Dell Splash screen with no keyboard functionality
• Failure in BIOS updates
• Inability to select any boot device

RTC reset of the motherboard helps to bring the computer to a functional state without replacing any hardware.

The legacy jumper that enabled a hardware-based RTC reset has been retired on these models.

Start the RTC reset with the computer powered off and connected to AC power. Press and hold the power button for thirty (30) seconds. The RTC Reset occurs after you release the power button.

The RTC Reset does the following changes.

• Resets the BIOS settings to Default
• Unprovisions Intel vPro
  NOTE: The IT administrator’s vPro account and password on the computer is unprovisioned. The computer should go back through the setup and configuration process again to connect it to the vPro server again.
• Resets the computer date and time

During the reset process, the computer restarts several times and depending on how it is configured. You may see keyboard backlight or other LED indications during the period the power button is held and after it is released. Once the reset is complete, the computer reboots and the Dell Splash screen display indicates reset success.

The following items are unaffected by the RTC reset:

• If TPM is on and Enabled, the RTC reset does not affect this (Remains on and Enabled)
• Service Tag
• Asset Tag
• Ownership Tag
• Admin Password
• System Password
• Hard drive Password
• ME/vPro setting
• Key Databases
• System Logs

These items may or may not be reset based on your custom BIOS setting selections:

• The Boot List
• Enable Legacy Option ROMs
• Secure Boot Enable
• Allow BIOS Downgrade

If you are still experiencing issues with No POST, No BOOT, or No POWER on your Dell computer after performing the RTC reset, and you are unable to find a solution for these symptoms on Dell's support website, you can contact support at the following location: Contact Technical Support.

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Dell Inspiron, OptiPlex, Dell Precision, XPS, and Vostro Desktop computers equipped with RTC reset

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Desktop computers with Jumper Reset Option

Dell desktop computers launched prior to this document have a motherboard jumper-based reset function. If your product was shipped prior to April 2020 and is not listed above, then the computer most likely has a jumper-based reset. See your product service manual for more details.

Desktop computers released after products listed in Table 1 have the RTC Reset function enabled by default.

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For more information about Dell Laptop Products, see Dell Knowledge Base article: How to Reset the Real-Time Clock to Recover Your Dell Laptop.

Recommended Articles

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• How to Reset the Real-Time Clock to Recover Your Dell Laptop
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