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How do I reset my Synology NAS? (For DSM 6.2.4 or above)

Last updated:Jan 3, 2025

How do I reset my Synology NAS? (For DSM 6.2.4 or above)

Purpose

This article explains the scenarios for each reset option and the steps to take.

Mode 1: Reset administrator login credentials and network settings to default

  • Use this mode if you have forgotten your password, want to move your Synology NAS to another network environment, or need to assign a new IP address.1

Mode 2: Reset Synology NAS and re-install DSM

  • Use this mode if you want to re-install DSM.2

Notes:

  1. To simply change the administrator password, go to DSM > Personal > Account to do so without resetting the Synology NAS.
  2. Resetting the Synology NAS does not impact its data. However, we strongly recommend launching Hyper Backup to back up data and system configurations before the reset.
  3. The reset process on a Synology NAS will only work if a drive is installed and DSM is set up.

Environment

Check that the status of your Synology NAS is Ready via either of the following tools:1

  • Web Assistant: Enter find.synology.com in the search bar of your web browser.
  • Synology Assistant: Open the desktop utility, available in Download Center.

Notes:

  1. Refer to Synology Assistant Help page for definitions of device status.

Resolution

Mode 1: Reset administrator login credentials and network settings to default1

  1. Locate the RESET button on your Synology NAS.2
  2. Press and hold down the RESET button for about 4 seconds until you hear a beep. Release the button immediately.
  3. Launch Web Assistant. Double-click on your Synology NAS. On the login page, enter the system default username admin, leave the password field blank, and click Sign In.
  4. Reset the password for your account and click Submit.
    • If there is only one administrator account named admin, the system automatically fills in the name admin in the username field.
    • If there are multiple administrators accounts, select an administrator account from the drop-down menu to change its password.3
  5. Once you have successfully reset the password, click Sign In Now.
  6. Sign in to DSM using the password you have just created.

Mode 2: Reset Synology NAS and re-install DSM

This mode wipes out all system configurations and carries out all the reset functions included in Mode 1.

  1. Locate the RESET button on your Synology NAS.2
  2. Press and hold down the RESET button for about 4 seconds until you hear a beep. Release the button immediately.
  3. Within 10 seconds, press and hold down the RESET button again for 4 seconds until you hear 3 more beeps.
  4. Wait for about 2 minutes until the STATUS light on your Synology NAS blinks orange or green.4 You have successfully reset your Synology NAS and wiped the system configurations.
  5. Enter find.synology.com in the search bar of your web browser and locate your Synology NAS. The status of your Synology NAS should be Configuration lost.
  6. Double-click on your Synology NAS. Follow the wizard to complete the re-installation process.

Notes:

  1. Once your Synology NAS is reset via Mode 1, the following settings take place:
    • The admin account is restored to default and its 2-factor authentication setting is disabled.
    • UI management port is reset to 5000/5001.
    • For DSM 7.2 and above: IPv4 address, DNS, gateway, and other network interfaces are reset to DHCP.
    • For DSM 6.2.4 to 7.1.x: IPv4 and IPv6 address, DNS, gateway, and other network interfaces are reset to DHCP.
    • PPPoE is disabled.
    • Auto Block is disabled.
    • Firewall rules are disabled.
    • High-availability cluster is removed.
    • Virtual Machine Manager cluster is removed. To recover the Virtual Machine Manager cluster, refer to this article.
    • Encrypted folders are unmounted and the feature Mount automatically on startup is disabled. For security reasons, if the cypher is a machine key, it is deleted from Key Manager. To learn how to retain the machine key for decrypting shared folders after reset, refer to this article.
    • Encrypted volumes are locked because the Encryption Key Vault has been erased and disabled. You must re-enable the vault and then use the respective recovery key to unlock each encrypted volume.
  2. Refer to the Product Manual if you need assistance locating the RESET button.
  3. The admin account is not shown in the drop-down menu when there are multiple administrator accounts. For security reasons, when you reset the password of another administrator account, the admin account is deactivated. Please use a name other than "admin" to set up an administrator account. Learn more about what services/packages are affected after the admin account is deactivated in this article.
  4. The color of the blinking light depends on the DSM version or the availability of the ALERT LED on your Synology NAS. For details, refer to the "Configuration Lost status" in this article.
  5. If you need to reset Virtual DSM, refer to this article.
Purpose
Environment
Resolution
Mode 1: Reset administrator login credentials and network settings to default1
Mode 2: Reset Synology NAS and re-install DSM