How to factory reset a Catalyst 3650 switch via CLI

[nttuan]

Hi all,

I have a Catalyst 3650 running IOS XE 3.0.7. How to do a factory reset using CLI without wiping the flash? I have saved a number of config saves on it and want to preserve the flash intact. I have both physical and CLI access.

Thanks,

[Seb Rupik · Accepted solution]

Hi there,

Copy the current the config and then erase the startup config:

!
copy run flash:latest.confg
write erase
reload
!

cheers,

Seb.

[nttuan]

It worked flawlessly. Thank you Seb

[dixiebowser]

Does this also reset the password?

[Seb Rupik]

Yes, the password is contained within the running config which is being backed up and then erased in the steps above.

cheers,

Seb.

[chriscent]

You will also find the steps discussed in this article useful: https://techdirectarchive.com/2019/07/31/how-to-reset-a-cisco-3650-catalyst-switch/