If you need help identifying which password level is restricting you, or if you need to determine the best method to backup your current, locked project, let me know:
Save this file directly to the root directory of the MicroSD card.
If a CPU is set to Level 3 or Level 4 protection and the password is lost, Siemens does not provide a "backdoor" password recovery tool for security and intellectual property reasons. The officially supported solution to fix a locked state is to restore the hardware to factory defaults.
Connect to the PLC via Ethernet or PPI.
A: Yes, but be cautious, as such tools may not be officially supported by Siemens.
Store passwords in a secure, shared company vault (like Bitwarden or Keepass).
Once the process completes, the PLC is back to factory defaults with no password. Method 2: Using the MicroSD Card Reset
For advanced users, there is a semi-reliable method that works on . It is not 100% fixed for newer CPUs, but worth documenting.
PLC, based on current industry recovery standards and known security research.
When a password is lost under high protection levels, any attempt to read, write, or compare the PLC project triggers an access-denied state. The primary authorized remedy is to purge the CPU block memory entirely to regain physical access. Method 1: Software Factory Reset (STEP 7-Micro/WIN SMART)
Users cannot upload, download, or view the logic without entering the correct password.
Navigate to PLC → Clear from the main menu (or press Ctrl+Shift+C ).
Free for in-warranty units; approximately $150–$300 for out-of-warranty service (depending on region).
If you absolutely must recover the underlying program from a locked PLC without losing data, the process requires advanced, low-level system interaction. How the "Fixed" Crack Utilities Work