Forgot Your NVMe SSD Password - Your Recovery Options Explained

What is Happening?

You are trying to boot your Dell computer, but you are stuck at a password prompt for your NVMe drive. Maybe you forgot the password that you set, or perhaps someone else set it and did not share the details with you. The system might even be showing you a challenge code, and suggesting you contact Dell for help.

Here is the important thing to understand: Dell cannot unlock or reset NVMe drive passwords, even with a challenge code. This limitation is specific to NVMe drives only - other types of hard drives may have different support options. This is a security feature built into NVMe drives themselves.

Why This Happens

NVMe drives have integrated security features that let you set a BIOS-level password to protect your data. When you (or someone else) set this password and then enter the wrong one, the drive locks you out completely. This is working exactly as designed - it is protecting your data from unauthorized access.

Want to learn more about hard drive passwords? Check out these helpful Dell Knowledge Base articles:

• BIOS Option to Set a Hard Drive Password on M.2 SSD
• General Information about Hard Drive and BIOS Passwords for Dell Computers

Your Options for Getting Back In

You have two potential ways to regain access to your drive, but both come with important considerations:

Option 1: Try Your BIOS Administrator Password (If You Set One)

This method works if you set a BIOS Administrator password before you set the NVMe drive password.

What to do: Simply enter your BIOS Administrator password when prompted for the drive password. This should clear the NVMe password and let you access your drive normally.

Why this works: When you set an Administrator password first, it creates a primary key that can override the drive password.

Option 2: Use the PSID Number (Last Resort Only)

WARNING: This option completely erases your drive and all your data!

This method works if you can physically access your NVMe drive to read the PSID number printed on it.

Tip: Take a photo of the label with the PSID number printed on it for future reference.

What to do:

1. Power down your computer and carefully remove the NVMe drive
2. Look for the PSID number printed directly on the drive itself
3. Reinstall the drive and boot your computer
4. When prompted for the password, enter the PSID number exactly as shown
5. Hold down Ctrl + Enter simultaneously after typing the PSID

What happens: This completely wipes your drive clean - all files (including but not limited to images, videos, documents, and more), programs, and the operating system is erased. You will need to reinstall everything, including the operating system and applications.

What If Neither Option Works?

If you do not have a BIOS Administrator password, unfortunately, your drive remains inaccessible. This is an intentional security feature of NVMe drives.

In this situation, you would need to:

1. Purchase a new NVMe drive and swap it out with the current drive.
   NOTE: Dell sells NVMe drives that are specific to your computer, See Dell Knowledge Base article Dell Parts and Repairs Selector. Retail sellers also sell NVMe drives but see your computer's manual to obtain the specifications needed for your computer. See Dell Knowledge Base article Manuals and Documentation for your Dell Product.
2. Reinstall your operating system and programs
3. Restore your data from backups (if available)

Preventing This in the Future

To avoid this situation again:

• Always set a BIOS Administrator password before setting drive passwords
• Keep your passwords in a secure but accessible location
• Consider whether you really need drive-level password protection for your use