How to Reset iDRAC (racadm, LCD Panel & Web)

Short answer

How do you reset an iDRAC? Over SSH, run racadm racreset to reboot the iDRAC controller without changing its configuration, or racadm racresetcfg to reset the iDRAC to factory defaults. Locked out? Reset it locally at boot via F2 to iDRAC Settings, or press and hold the front System ID button for 16 seconds.

An iDRAC that is hung, locked out, or headed for redeploy needs one of three distinct operations: a controller reboot, a factory-defaults reset, or a credential recovery. This guide gives the exact racadm, F2 System Setup, front-panel and web methods for each, across iDRAC7, 8 and 9.

Reboot vs. reset to defaults vs. reset the password

"Reset iDRAC" means three different operations, and picking the wrong one either fails to fix your problem or wipes settings you needed. Separate them before you touch anything:

Goal	What actually happens	How	Config preserved?
Reboot the iDRAC	Restarts the management controller (BMC) only; the host OS keeps running	`racadm racreset` · Web: Reset iDRAC	Yes — nothing is cleared
Reset to factory defaults	Clears iDRAC network, users and settings back to shipping state	`racadm racresetcfg` · F2 iDRAC Settings · Web reset-to-default	No — configuration is wiped
Reset the password	Restores login when credentials are lost — there is no standalone "password reset," you factory-reset and log in with the default	Factory reset, then default credentials	Depends on reset scope

Use a reboot first for a hung or unresponsive controller — it is non-destructive. Reserve the factory reset for lost credentials, a misconfigured controller, or prepping a unit for redeploy.

iDRAC generations: iDRAC7/8/9 across 12G-16G

The reset commands are the same across recent generations, but the controller branding tracks the PowerEdge server generation. Confirm which controller you have before following vendor menus:

Controller	PowerEdge gen	Example models	Local reset at boot
iDRAC7	12G	R620, R720 / R720xd, R820	F2 → iDRAC Settings
iDRAC8	13G	R630, R730 / R730xd, R430	F2 → iDRAC Settings
iDRAC9	14G / 15G / 16G+	R640, R740 / R740xd, R650, R750, R660, R760	F2 → iDRAC Settings

racadm's racreset and racresetcfg work on iDRAC7, 8 and 9. On iDRAC7/8, racresetcfg clears users and network along with the rest of the config; on iDRAC9 the flag behavior is more granular (see below). The Dell PowerEdge R740xd, for example, ships with iDRAC9.

Method 1 - racadm over SSH (racreset & racresetcfg)

racadm over SSH is the fastest path when the iDRAC is still reachable on the network. Steps:

SSH to the controller: ssh root@<idrac-ip> and authenticate. The IP is shown on the LCD panel or under F2 → iDRAC Settings → Network.
Reboot only (non-destructive): racadm racreset. Add -f to force it if the controller is wedged. The host OS is unaffected; allow 1–2 minutes for the controller to return.
Reset config to factory defaults: racadm racresetcfg. This clears iDRAC settings; append -all to also restore the login to the factory default credentials.
Reconnect after the controller reboots and log in with the default password — see iDRAC default password.

You can run the same commands from the host OS with the local racadm binary (from OMSA / iDRAC Tools) when SSH to the controller is unavailable but the operating system is up.

Method 2 - reset without logging in (F2 System Setup & front panel)

Locked out or the network is down? Both local methods are physical, so they need no iDRAC credentials — only console or hands-on access:

F2 → iDRAC Settings (recommended). Reboot the server; press F2 at POST to enter System Setup; select iDRAC Settings; scroll to Reset iDRAC Configurations to Defaults (choose All to include network and users); confirm. Lifecycle Controller (F10) → iDRAC Settings offers the same reset.
Front System ID button. To reset a hung controller with no console, press and hold the "i" System Identification button on the front bezel for at least 16 seconds; release when the cooling fans spin up to full speed. This reboots the iDRAC without touching its configuration or the OS.

Note the LCD front panel itself shows and sets the iDRAC IP and status — it does not perform a factory reset. Power-cycling the server also will not reset the iDRAC: it runs on auxiliary standby power whenever the PSUs are connected.

Method 3 - reset to default from the web GUI

When you can still log into the web interface, reset there:

iDRAC9 (14G+): go to Maintenance → Diagnostics; click Reboot iDRAC for a soft restart, or Reset iDRAC to Default Settings and choose what to preserve (all, or all except network/users).
iDRAC7/8 (12G/13G): from the Overview screen use Quick Launch Tasks → Reset iDRAC to reboot the controller; the reset-to-default option lives under the iDRAC Settings / Diagnostics area for the firmware in use.
Confirm the action. Your session drops while the controller restarts; reconnect after 1–2 minutes.

After a factory reset: credentials, network & redeploy

A factory reset returns the iDRAC to its shipping login. Which login depends on the generation and how the unit was configured:

iDRAC7/8 and early iDRAC9: user root, password calvin.
14G and newer with the secure default enabled: user root with a unique factory password printed on the pull-out service / information tag on the chassis.

Full detail, including how to tell which applies to your box, is in iDRAC default password. After logging in you will re-set the iDRAC static IP or DHCP, re-add users, and re-apply the license (Express / Enterprise / Datacenter) as needed.

Buying refurbished? Every server we ship is factory-reset with firmware updated before it leaves the lab, so you configure a clean iDRAC on day one. Browse servers & systems, start with the iDRAC9-equipped Dell PowerEdge R740xd, or match drives, DIMMs and optics to a chassis you already run with the Compatibility Tool.

Frequently asked questions

How do I reset iDRAC without logging in?

Use a local, physical method that needs no credentials. Reboot the server, press F2 at POST for System Setup, open iDRAC Settings, and choose Reset iDRAC Configurations to Defaults (All). For a hung controller with no console, press and hold the front "i" System ID button for at least 16 seconds. See the iDRAC default password guide for the login afterward.

What is the difference between racadm racreset and racadm racresetcfg?

racadm racreset reboots the iDRAC controller only and preserves all configuration; the host OS is unaffected. racadm racresetcfg resets the iDRAC configuration to factory defaults, clearing settings. On iDRAC7/8 that includes users and network; on iDRAC9 add -all to also restore the factory default credentials.

Does resetting iDRAC reset the password to root/calvin?

A factory reset (racresetcfg or the F2/web reset-to-default) restores the default login. On iDRAC7/8 and early iDRAC9 that is user root with password calvin. On 14G and newer shipped with the secure default enabled, it is root with a unique password printed on the pull-out service tag rather than calvin.

Will resetting iDRAC take down my server or its OS?

No. The iDRAC is an out-of-band management controller, so rebooting or factory-resetting it does not restart or interrupt the host operating system. A full config reset does drop any active iDRAC network, virtual console and virtual media sessions until you reconnect.

How do I reset a frozen iDRAC I cannot reach over the network?

Press and hold the front "i" System Identification button for at least 16 seconds until the fans spin to full speed; this soft-reboots the iDRAC without changing its config. Alternatively reset it at boot via F2 to iDRAC Settings. Note that power-cycling the host does not reset the iDRAC because it runs on auxiliary standby power.

Does the LCD front panel reset the iDRAC?

No. The LCD panel displays system status and lets you view or set the iDRAC IP address, but it does not perform a factory reset. To reboot the controller use the front System ID button; to reset the configuration use F2 iDRAC Settings, the web GUI, or racadm racresetcfg.

How to reset iDRAC (racadm, LCD panel & web methods)