Cisco ISR 4331/K9 locked and unable to login. How to reset?

[varunoberoi]

My ISR 4331/K9 is somehow locked and is asking for the username. I have my passwords written down but somehow it is just not working. I have a security license installed in it and I don't want to lose it. How can I reset it safely, or how can I restore access?

I have all the commands that I used when I first set it up. I just cannot understand which is my username and which is the password. After having tried many times, I am forced to give up.

[MHM Cisco World]

Did you use aaa new model command ?

If yes 

Try access via console 

Then under line vty 0

Login 

Password xxxx 

Privilege level 15 

Abd check

MHM

[varunoberoi]

- I am using via console.
- When I start the router, it simply starts by asking for the username.

Sorry, I am not a pro at this. 

[devrogers]

I would just do password recovery during a maintenance window:

See procedure below:

https://community.cisco.com/t5/networking-knowledge-base/password-recovery/ta-p/3123097

[Leo Laohoo]

Console into the router and reboot.

Post the entire boot-up process.  I want to see if someone has disabled password recovery.  If password recovery is disabled, the only answer is to RMA the router.

[devrogers]

This was discussed here. Seems hitting control + break in less than 5 seconds does the trick

https://community.cisco.com/t5/other-network-architecture-subjects/password-recovery-functionality-is-disabled/td-p/2973976