HP Color LaserJet M856 - need Factory Default Password or how to Factory Reset without password

[May_June_July]

HP Color LaserJet M856:

How do i Factory Reset the printer without a password

or What is the default password for this printer?

Tried: admin, password, admin, 123, 123456, 12345678, these dont work.

Please help. 

[Raqeeb26]

Hi @May_June_July ,

This issue is very common with HP Enterprise-class printers like the HP Color LaserJet M856. These models use strong security settings, and if the administrator password was changed at some point, it’s easy to forget it. When that happens, the usual default passwords often don’t work.

Below are the confirmed ways to reset or remove the administrator password for this printer model.

Default Administrator Password
If the admin password has never been changed, try the following:

Username: admin
Password: (leave it empty) — Many M856 units ship with a blank administrator password.

If that doesn’t work, try:
Username: admin
Password: hpinvent

Note: If someone changed the password during setup, the defaults will not work. In that case, the only solution is to use the Pre-boot Menu to reset it.

Factory Reset Without a Password (Cold Reset)
This is the most reliable method to remove the administrator password and return the printer to factory settings.

Important: A Cold Reset will erase all custom settings, including network configuration, custom paper types, and, of course, the administrator password.

Cold Reset Steps (FutureSmart 4/5 Touchscreen Models):

1. Turn the printer off.

2. Turn it back on.

3. When the HP logo appears, press and hold your finger on the center of the touchscreen.

4. Keep holding until the Pre-boot Menu appears (blue background, white text).

5. From the menu, select:

   • Administrator

   • Startup Options

   • Cold Reset (you should see an “X” or indicator once selected)

6. Go back to the main Pre-boot screen.

7. Select Continue.

The printer will reboot and restore all factory settings, including clearing the admin password.

Alternative Option: Clear Only the Administrator Password
Some firmware versions offer a “Clear Password” option, which removes only the password and keeps the rest of the printer settings.

To use it:

1. Enter the Pre-boot Menu using the steps above.

2. Go to Administrator.

3. Look for “Clear Password.”

4. Select it and confirm.

5. Return to the main menu and press Continue.

This option is not available on all units, but it’s worth checking before performing a full Cold Reset.

Hope this helps resolve your issue

[Raqeeb26]

Hi @May_June_July ,

I just got an update on this concern:

Enterprise products DO NOT ship with any default password. There is no password at all on products running FutureSmart . The closest that it gets to default is European models that now require you to add a password before you can setup the printer after upgrading to FutureSmart 5.9.0.2. Also unless recently changed, the only way to clear the EWS admin password is a partial clean or a cold reset, both of which will wipe out all data. To allow the elimination of the password without wiping all data would be a huge security risk.

Update courtesy of @Repairatrooper