How To Reset Overclock CPU - Step By Step In 2024!

Overclocking your CPU can significantly enhance performance but also carries risks such as system instability, overheating, and reduced hardware lifespan.

To reset an overclocked CPU, access your BIOS/UEFI, select “Load Default Settings,” and save changes. This will revert your CPU to its factory settings, resolving any instability caused by overclocking.

This guide will walk you through various methods for resetting your CPU’s overclock settings and ensuring your system runs smoothly.

Table of Contents

Understanding Overclocking and Why You Might Need to Reset

Overclocking involves increasing your CPU’s clock rate beyond its factory settings to achieve better performance.

While this can benefit intensive tasks like gaming or video editing, it can lead to instability, higher temperatures, and potential hardware damage. Resetting the overclock can help resolve these issues and restore system stability.

Methods to Reset Overclocked CPU

1. Resetting Through BIOS/UEFI

Accessing the BIOS/UEFI:

Restart Your Computer: As your computer starts up, watch for a message indicating which key to press to enter the BIOS/UEFI menu. Standard keys include F2, Delete, or Esc.
Enter the BIOS/UEFI Menu: Press the indicated key repeatedly until the BIOS/UEFI screen appears.

Resetting the Settings:

Load Default Settings: Navigate to the “Load Default Settings” section or “Load Optimized Defaults.” This option will reset all settings, including overclock configurations, to factory defaults.
Save and Exit: After loading the default settings, save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI menu. Your system will restart with the default settings applied.

Verification:

Check System Information: Verify that the CPU is running at its default settings once your computer restarts. You can access the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) or system monitoring software like CPU-Z or HWMonitor .

2. Clearing the CMOS

Using a Jumper:

Turn Off and Unplug Your Computer: Ensure the computer is entirely powered off and unplugged.
Locate the CMOS Jumper: Refer to your motherboard manual to find the CMOS jumper, usually labelled “CLR CMOS” or “RESET CMOS.”
To clear the CMOS, Move the jumper to the clear position, wait a few seconds, and then move it back to the original position. This will reset the BIOS settings, including the overclock.

3. Removing the CMOS Battery:

Turn Off and Unplug Your Computer: Ensure the computer is entirely powered off and unplugged.
Remove the Battery: Open your computer case and locate the CMOS battery on the motherboard. Carefully remove it.
Wait and Reinsert: Wait for the few minutes before reinserting the battery. This process clears the CMOS and resets the BIOS settings.

4. Using Software Utilities

If accessing the BIOS/UEFI or physically clearing the CMOS is not feasible, you can use software utilities to reset the overclock settings.

Download a Reputable Utility: Software like CPU-Z, HWMonitor, or manufacturer-specific tools (e.g., Intel Extreme Tuning Utility or AMD Ryzen Master) can help reset the overclock.
Reset Overclock Settings: Follow the software instructions to reset the overclock settings. Typically, there will be an option to restore default settings or reset overclock settings.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

System Won’t Boot: If your computer fails to boot after resetting the overclock, try re-entering the BIOS/UEFI and double-check the settings. Ensure that all changes are saved correctly.
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD): If you encounter BSOD errors, it might be due to incorrect settings or other hardware issues. Re-enter the BIOS and verify all configurations.
Inconsistent Performance: Use monitoring tools to check CPU speeds and temperatures. Ensure the reset is successful and the CPU runs at default values.

Ensuring Long-term Stability

After resetting your overclocked CPU, monitor your system to ensure it remains stable:

Regularly Check Temperatures: Use tools like HWMonitor or Core Temp to monitor CPU temperatures.
Keep Drivers and BIOS Updated: Regularly update your system drivers and BIOS to maintain optimal performance and compatibility.
Consider Professional Help: If you continue to experience issues, seek help from a professional technician.

Risks of overclocking

1. Voided warranty

Overclocking your CPU can void the manufacturer’s warranty, leaving you responsible for any damage. Most manufacturers consider altering default settings to be misused.

2. Instability issues

Overclocking often leads to system instability, causing random crashes, freezes, and data corruption. Ensuring stable performance at higher speeds can be challenging and require extensive testing.

3. Overheating problems

Overclocking increases CPU temperatures, potentially causing overheating. Without adequate cooling solutions, this can lead to thermal throttling, reduced performance, and long-term damage to the CPU and other components.

4. Is overclocking safe?

Overclocking is unsafe and carries risks such as hardware damage and instability. While it can boost performance, it should be done with caution and proper cooling measures.

How to troubleshoot overclocking problems

1. Test device stability

To troubleshoot overclocking problems, use stress-testing software like Prime95 or AIDA64. These tools help identify stability issues, ensuring your system can handle the overclocked settings without crashes or errors.

2. Monitor hardware temperatures

Regularly monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures using software like HWMonitor or Core Temp. High temperatures can indicate inadequate cooling, leading to instability and potential hardware damage during overclocking.

3. Change your settings

If you experience instability, adjust your overclocking settings. Lower the clock speed or voltage incrementally to find a stable configuration that maintains improved performance without causing system crashes.

4. Update drivers and BIOS

Ensure all drivers and your BIOS are up to date. Manufacturers often release updates that improve compatibility and stability, which can resolve issues related to overclocking and enhance overall system performance.

Can I overclock my CPU?

1. What about Intel overclocking?

Intel CPUs often support overclocking through their “K” series models, allowing users to adjust clock speeds via the BIOS or software. Ensure you have adequate cooling and a compatible motherboard.

2. AMD and Nvidia “built in” overclocking

AMD CPUs and GPUs, along with Nvidia GPUs, offer built-in overclocking features through utilities like AMD Ryzen Master and Nvidia’s GPU Boost. These tools simplify the process while maintaining stability.

3. Can you overclock a laptop?

Overclocking a laptop is generally not recommended due to limited cooling capabilities and potential overheating. Most laptops are not designed to handle the increased thermal output from overclocking.

How do I reset an overclock to stock?

To reset an overclock to stock, enter the BIOS/UEFI, select “Load Default Settings” or “Optimized Defaults,” save changes, and exit. This will restore the CPU to factory settings.

How do I reset my CPU Overclock?…

You can reset your CPU overclock by accessing the BIOS/UEFI, choosing “Load Default Settings,” and saving the changes. This will revert the CPU to its original, stable configuration, eliminating overclock-related issues.

How do I turn off OC’ing the CPU in the BIOS?

In the BIOS/UEFI, navigate to the overclocking settings, disable any active overclocking options, and select “Load Default Settings.” Save and exit to turn off CPU overclocking and restore default values.

How to reset overclocking settings on a msi bios?

To reset overclocking settings on an MSI BIOS, enter the BIOS, go to the “OC” section, select “Load Optimized Defaults,” and save the changes. This will reset the CPU to its default settings.

How to reset a cpu overclock without resetting my fan curves in bios?

You can reset the CPU overclock by manually adjusting the CPU multiplier and voltage settings in the BIOS/UEFI to default values while keeping the fan curve settings unchanged. Save your changes and exit to apply them.

How to reset OC settings

To reset OC settings, enter the BIOS/UEFI, navigate to the overclocking section, and select “Load Default Settings” or “Optimized Defaults.” Save the changes and exit to restore factory settings.

How to reset the factory settings of a graphics card?

You can reset a graphics card to factory settings using software like MSI Afterburner or Nvidia Control Panel. Select the reset option to revert to default clock speeds and configurations.

How do I reset my CPU

Reset your CPU by accessing the BIOS/UEFI, choosing “Load Default Settings” or “Optimized Defaults,” and saving the changes. This restores the CPU to its factory settings.

CPU Overclock Won’t Revert

If your CPU overclock won’t revert, clear the CMOS using the motherboard jumper or remove the CMOS battery for a few minutes. This forces a reset of the BIOS settings.

How to reset Overclocked CPU Back to Stock

To reset an overclocked CPU back to stock, enter the BIOS/UEFI, select “Load Default Settings” or “Optimized Defaults,” and save the changes. This will restore the CPU to its original settings.

Can You reset it From The ‘Reset’ Button on Your Board?

Yes, the ‘Reset’ button on your motherboard can reset BIOS settings, including overclock settings, to default values. Refer to your motherboard manual for detailed instructions.

Will Updating Bios Reset Overclock?

Updating the BIOS can reset overclock settings to default values. It’s recommended to note your current settings before updating them so you can reapply them if necessary.

How to reset overclock CPU Windows 11

To reset an overclocked CPU on Windows 11, enter the BIOS/UEFI during startup, select “Load Default Settings,” save changes, and exit. This will revert the CPU to default settings.

How to reset overclock CPU Windows 10

You can reset an overclocked CPU on Windows 10 by accessing the BIOS/UEFI, choosing “Load Default Settings” or “Optimized Defaults,” saving the changes, and exiting. This restores factory settings.

How to reset overclock GPU

You can reset an overclocked GPU using software like MSI Afterburner or the Nvidia Control Panel. Select the reset option to revert the GPU to its default clock speeds and settings.

How to reset overclock CPU ASUS

To reset overclock settings on an ASUS motherboard, enter the BIOS/UEFI, navigate to the “Advanced” or “Ai Tweaker” tab, select “Load Optimized Defaults,” save the changes, and exit.

How to reset overclock CPU Dell

For Dell systems, enter the BIOS/UEFI during startup, find the “Performance” or “Overclocking” section, select “Restore Settings” or “Load Defaults,” save the changes, and exit to reset the CPU overclock.

How to reset CPU overclock MSI

To reset overclocking on an MSI motherboard, access the BIOS/UEFI, go to the “OC” section, select “Load Optimized Defaults,” save the changes, and exit to restore default CPU settings.

How to reset CPU settings in BIOS

You can reset CPU settings in the BIOS by accessing the BIOS/UEFI, navigating to the “Advanced” or “Overclocking” section, selecting “Load Default Settings” or “Load Optimized Defaults,” and saving the changes before exiting.

FAQs

1. What is overclocking?

Overclocking involves increasing the clock rate of your CPU beyond its factory settings to enhance performance. This process can lead to higher speeds and cause instability and overheating.

2. How to reset bios after a bad overclock?

To reset the BIOS after a bad overclock, clear the CMOS using the motherboard jumper or remove the CMOS battery for a few minutes. This restores the default BIOS settings.

3. How to reset MSI Afterburner overclock?

To reset MSI Afterburner overclock, open the software, click the “Reset” button to revert all changes to default values, and apply the settings. This restores the default GPU settings.

4. Does clearing CMOS reset overclock?

Yes, clearing the CMOS resets all BIOS settings, including overclock configurations, to their default values. This can help resolve issues caused by unstable overclocking.

5. How to reset Ryzen master overclock?

You can reset Ryzen Master’s overclock by opening the software, selecting the “Profile” tab, and clicking “Reset” to revert all changes to default settings. Then, you can save and apply the changes.

6. Help me reset my overclocked CPU to normal factory setting

To reset your overclocked CPU to factory settings, enter the BIOS/UEFI, select “Load Default Settings” or “Optimized Defaults,” save changes, and exit. This will restore the original CPU configuration.

7. HELP! I tried to overclock my cpu and RAM and now it won’t post or let me reset the bios. More info in the comments.

If your system doesn’t post after overclocking, clear the CMOS using the motherboard jumper or remove the CMOS battery. This resets the BIOS to default settings, allowing your system to boot.

8. If I overclocked my graphics card or my CPU and I did a factory reset of my computer, would my components go back to their base clocks?

A factory reset of your computer does not revert hardware overclock settings. You must reset overclocks through BIOS/UEFI for the CPU and software like MSI Afterburner for the GPU.

9. What are the signs of bad overclock?

Signs of a bad overclock include system instability, frequent crashes, blue screen errors (BSOD), overheating, and artifacts in graphics. These indicate that the overclock settings are too aggressive.

10. What to do if overclocking failed?

If overclocking fails, reset your system by clearing the CMOS or entering the BIOS/UEFI to load default settings. Ensure adequate cooling and consider more conservative overclock settings.

Conclusion

Resetting an overclocked CPU is crucial for restoring stability and avoiding potential hardware damage. Access your BIOS/UEFI, choose “Load Default Settings,” and save changes to revert your CPU to its factory configuration. This process resolves instability caused by overclocking, ensuring optimal performance and longevity of your system.