This only worked if the laptop was never updated.
In very early 2020 (and bleeding into early 2021 for unpatched units), security researchers found a flaw in the SMC controller. Technicians used a Linux bootable USB (a tool called smcutil) to dump and clear the NVRAM region.
Warning: This method requires soldering skills and a CH341A programmer. It will void your warranty and can brick your motherboard if done incorrectly. hp zbook 15 g5 bios password reset 2021
By 2021, hardware forums like Badcaps and BIOS-mods.com confirmed that the password on the ZBook 15 G5 lives on a Winbond 25Q128FVSQ SPI flash chip located near the SATA connector.
Resetting the BIOS password on an HP ZBook 15 G5 in 2021 is not a trivial task. The days of jumper switches and CMOS battery tricks are long gone. If you are a legitimate owner, your best path is contacting HP with proof of purchase. For the technically adventurous, SPI flashing remains the ultimate solution, while the KBC short method is a dying art due to firmware patches. This only worked if the laptop was never updated
Remember: This security is by design to protect your data. Treat your BIOS password like your bank PIN – store it in a password manager. If you bypass it using the hardware methods above, you accept full responsibility for the risk of bricking a $2,000+ workstation.
Have you successfully reset an HP ZBook 15 G5 in 2021? Share your experience in the comments below, but remember – do not share serial numbers or System Disabled codes publicly, as they can be traced to stolen devices. Have you successfully reset an HP ZBook 15 G5 in 2021
The HP ZBook 15 G5, released in 2018, features Intel 8th/9th Gen Core or Xeon processors and an Intel CM246 chipset. Its BIOS (System Setup) security includes administrator, power-on, and drive lock passwords. Resetting these passwords in 2021 required specific hardware-level procedures, as simple CMOS clearing became obsolete due to non-volatile storage.
This paper documents the technically viable methods available in 2021, ranging from HP’s official channels to hardware-level resets.
On the HP ZBook 15 G5, after three incorrect password entries, you will see a message: "System Disabled" followed by a code like "57014460". Do not panic. This code is essential for the official HP unlock process.