When your motherboard does not save settings it may be time to replace the CMOS battery

A well-functioning motherboard is essential for a smooth computing experience, but like all components, it can encounter issues over time. One common problem users face is the motherboard’s inability to save settings, which often points to a failing CMOS battery.

A Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) battery powers the real-time clock found on the motherboard and stores BIOS settings, including system time, date, and configuration settings for hardware components. This small battery, usually a coin-cell battery

is typically a CR2032 lithium battery, and it is designed to maintain these settings even when the computer is powered off.

Common indicators that the CMOS battery needs to be replaced

• The most noticeable symptom is the continually resetting date and time in the BIOS. Each time you start your computer, if you find yourself having to reset the clock, your CMOS battery is probably failing.
• You may also experience error messages related to the BIOS settings, particularly if the system cannot verify the configurations or has lost custom settings.
• If you customize BIOS settings—such as boot order, fan speeds, or overclocking settings—and notice they revert to default every time the computer shuts down, the CMOS battery might be at fault.
• In some cases, an aging battery can cause other inconsistencies, such as the computer shutting down unexpectedly or failing to start altogether.

Replacing the CMOS battery

1. With the system turned off, unplug the power cord.
2. Open the computer case.
3. Locate the CMOS battery.
   
4. Most batteries are held in place by a clip or simply snap out of their holder. Gently release the clip or pull the battery upwards to remove it.
   
   
5. Replace with a new battery.
6. Close the computer case and plug in the power cord.
7. Start your computer and enter the BIOS setup (usually by pressing a key like DEL, F2, or F10 during startup). You’ll likely need to reset your configurations, including the date and time, and any unique settings you had previously established.