# PLC reset factory using USB key

**URL:** <https://community.br-automation.com/t/plc-reset-factory-using-usb-key/3805>\
**Category:** Controls & Vision\
**Tags:** plc\
**Created:** [July 17, 2024, 3:24pm UTC](https://community.br-automation.com/t/plc-reset-factory-using-usb-key/3805 "2024-07-17T15:24:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 3

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**Author:** ![austin.carpenter](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/brcommunity/user_avatar/community.br-automation.com/austin.carpenter/32/1196_2.png) [@austin.carpenter](https://community.br-automation.com/u/austin.carpenter)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://community.br-automation.com/t/plc-reset-factory-using-usb-key/3805/3 "2024-07-17T16:14:35Z")

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Hello Mohammed,

> [@Mohammed\_Ali](#):
>
> I think it’s wonderful to have this solution, but is there a way to reset the PLC without using Automation Studio?

You can _technically_ also use Runtime Utility Center to execute the HDD/CF utility. Therefore, you don’t need AS.

However, this has the downside that you need to know the IP address of the PLC and it has to be valid. In BOOT mode, this means requiring a DHCP server and knowing how to obtain the provided IP address from the network/server. It’s just easier to download and install AS. Outside of BOOT mode, your AR is 4.33 or higher (aka modern PLCs) and you can’t use the HDD/CF utility.  
 ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/brcommunity/original/2X/e/e593783e32a20d571e64d99d5d41fb3005f8187e.png)

 ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/brcommunity/original/2X/8/83f53bb10650cc6f5a1e2b0aa4d5d86d80a15f5e.png)  
_(Runtime Utility Center doesn’t have the same browse/set IP address capability of Automation Studio.)_

> [@Mohammed\_Ali](#):
>
> Today, my colleague (test technician) tried to upload the black screen using the wrong package, and the PLC restarted in service mode. We then tried to use the correct package, hoping it would overwrite the configuration in the PLC, but it didn’t work. I had to reset the PLC using Automation Studio (following the procedure linked above) to resolve the issue.

If you already have a USB project installation package, then you just needed to place the C30 panels into BOOT mode, and then perform the installation again. It doesn’t sound like you actually needed to clear the partitions on the C30, just get it back into a mode it would accept the correct project.

Since the Configuration ID is different/blank in BOOT mode, an initial installation is always performed and it would wipe the incorrect package from the C30.

Best regards,  
Austin

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