How to Factory Reset Cisco Switch

In this video, I demonstrate how to factory reset a Cisco Switch. These steps will work on various Cisco switch and router models. In this video, I'm resetting a Cisco 2960cx.
Written version of this tutorial
networkverge.c...
Summary of steps:
1. Console to switch
2. Power Off the switch
3. Power On & Hold Down Mode Button
4. Type flash_init
5. Delete the config.text and vlan.dat files
6. Reboot switch
For more Cisco and networking tutorials check out my site
networkverge.com

[@johnpowell3500]

Top man building a CCNA home lab and bought 2nd hand switch of eBay just followed this works fine.

[@Lava-bc7ez]

Thanks man, found 2 switches that needed to be reset and this helped!!!

[@frankjakobsen5980]

Great! You provided exactly the information I needed, without any bla-bla, straight to the point :-)

[@syedm.hharis3009]

Simple and straight. Thank you

[@offshoretechie]

Great simple tutorial. thanks.

[@1stnamebr406]

How to delete them if they are read-only? Anybody can answer?

[@lynn_patterson]

Thanks. It works great on a Catalyst 2960-S

[@cristhiancamberos]

very helpful and atraight to the point. Saved my ass

[@user-nu4xg2sh3i]

I'm confused why this video shows how to do a factory reset through the command line (console access) while other videos simply just show that you need to hold the power button until the lights start flashing ...are both methods valid or it depends on the specific model? I'm new to all of this, thanks.

[@kosmattt]

Thank You! Works with ME 3400 :)

[@SOGUIREL]

Thanks sir

[@danielelauri]

Thank you man !

[@zanield6195]

Thank you :)

[@jayjaytp10]

Thank you!

[@johnanonanon]

Sadly didn't work on my 3560-cx. Whilst I released after the password-recovery mechanism is enabled, it didn't interrupt the boot. Luckily I know the password for my switch. And yes, my console cable is working fine.

[@johnanonanon]

Not sure which one of these changes made a difference, but I got it working:
1. Power Off
2. Hold in Mode button
3. Power On, whilst still holding Mode button
4. Wait for 'password-recovery mechanism is enabled' message
5. Wait a few MORE seconds and THEN release the Mode button

[@user-nu4xg2sh3i]

will this work on a cisco router also?

[@gurugamer8632]

what does flash_init do

[@arbazshaikh6157]

Unable to type flash_init

[@networkverge507]

Might be a bad console. Are you able to type any commands?