What happens if I don't replace CMOS battery?

Category: technology and computing laptops
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If the CMOS battery in your computer or laptop dies, the machine will be unable to remember its hardware settings when it is powered up. It is likely to cause problems with the day-to-day use of your system. The CMOS battery maintains computer settings.



Likewise, people ask, what will happen if CMOS battery is removed?

Removing the CMOS battery will stop all power in the logic board ( you also unplug it too). If a computer is having boot loops or is frozen and there is no other way to restart the computer then unplugging it and taking out the CMOS battery will take out any remaining code in the RAM of the system.

Furthermore, how long do CMOS batteries last? around five years

Regarding this, do I need to replace CMOS battery?

If your PC displays errors about the clock or CMOS when starting the PC, the CMOS battery on the motherboard probably needs to be replaced. Desktop PCs use a battery to keep time when the they are off, much like a watch. Like a watch, the battery needs to be replaced when it runs low on power.

Can CMOS battery cause no display?

Usually a dead BIOS battery will not cause this to happen and the common effects of it is date/time always being reset, but causing a computer to not boot at all is very possible with a dead CR2032 battery.

35 Related Question Answers Found

Will a dead CMOS battery prevent my computer from booting?

A dead or weak CMOS battery will not prevent the computer from booting. You'll just lose date and time."

Can I start PC without CMOS battery?

No, booting without the CMOS battery won't damage your mobo.

Does removing battery Clear CMOS?

The CMOS battery provides power used to save the BIOS settings – this is how your computer knows how much time has passed even when it's been powered-off for a while – so removing the battery will remove the source of power and clear the settings. Important Note: Not all motherboards have removable CMOS batteries.

Will resetting the BIOS erase data?

Resetting the bios shouldn't have any effect or damage your computer in any way. All it does is reset everything to it's default. As for your old CPU being frequency locked to what your old one was, it could be settings, or it could also be a CPU which is not (fully) supported by your current bios.

What are the symptoms of a bad CMOS battery?

Let's take a look at a few signs of a CMOS battery failure.
  • Incorrect computer date and time settings.
  • Your PC occasionally turns off or doesn't start.
  • Drivers stop working.
  • You may start to get errors while booting that say something like “CMOS checksum error” or “CMOS read error“.

How do you reset the CMOS?

To reset the BIOS by replacing the CMOS battery, follow these steps instead:
  1. Shutdown your computer.
  2. Remove the power cord to make sure that your computer receives no power.
  3. Make sure you're grounded.
  4. Find the battery on your motherboard.
  5. Remove it.
  6. Wait 5 to 10 minutes.
  7. Put the battery back in.
  8. Power on your computer.

Does removing CMOS battery reset BIOS password?

By Removing CMOS Battery:
To reset the password, unplug the PC, open the cabinet and remove the CMOS battery for approx. 15-30 minutes and then put it back. It'll reset all BIOS settings as well as the password and you'll need to re-enter all settings. If it fails, then try to remove the battery for at least one hour.

How often should I replace the CMOS battery?

Some might last a year or two, others a decade. Some BIOS will lose only the time, others will lose more. Some machines are designed to make it easy to replace the battery, others not so much. My advice: don't worry about it until your PC starts losing the current time and date on every boot up.

How much does a CMOS battery cost?


You can purchase a new CMOS battery online for a very reasonable price, usually between $1 and $10.

What happens when motherboard battery dies?

If the CMOS battery dies, settings will be lost when the computer is powered down. You will probably be asked to reset the time and date when you start the computer up. Sometimes the loss of settings will prevent the computer loading the operating system.

What type of CMOS battery do I need?

The Lithium battery, which is a round one (the size of a coin) and can be easily found at watchmaker's and computer parts stores, has long been the most used type. To buy one of these batteries, all you have to do is to look for a model CR2032 one. Replacing the motherboard lithium battery demands some care.

How do I check my CMOS battery status?

If your computer is custom built with an enthusiast-quality motherboard, there's a small possibility there's a way to check the CMOS battery status right in the BIOS. You need to go into the BIOS settings to check this, which usually means you need to press the "ESC," "DEL" or "F2" key while the computer is booting.

Does CMOS battery recharge?

3 Answers. Most CMOS batteries are CR2032 lithium button cell batteries and are not rechargeable. There are rechargeable batteries (e.g. ML2032 - rechargeable) that are the same size, but they can't be charged by your computer. Some motherboards used to have rechargable CMOS batteries on them.

Can you replace CMOS battery with computer on?


What if you drop the battery taking it out of its holder? If you remove & replace cmos battery with the power on you can lay the PC on its side or put some sticky tape on the old & new batteries first (or do both). Same deal with the new battery & once it is in place remove the tape.

Are all CMOS batteries the same?

Although somewhat standardized, not all motherboards use the CR2032 battery. They are all 3-3.3v but depending upon the manufacturer, a smaller or larger size may be used (rare anymore). Here's what the retail site Cablesnmor has to say "CMOS batteries power the real-time clock and RAM function for your PC.

How do I change my CMOS battery?

Locate your CMOS battery
Open the computer case and find the battery on the motherboard. Verify it is accessible and can be removed. Today, most computers use a coin cell CMOS battery, like the CR2032 battery shown in the picture. Some CMOS batteries may be held down by a metal clip or bar.