Power the CPU back on. The CPU will automatically copy the "empty" project, effectively erasing the internal load memory and removing the old password. Wait for the LED to blink, then power off and remove the card.
A market exists for third-party S7-1200 unlock tools. These tools do not "crack" the password in the traditional sense. Instead, they often exploit specific firmware vulnerabilities or utilize vendor-specific service modes to bypass the comparison check or extract the password hash from the memory image.
To avoid future lockouts, it is important to understand how access management is structured within TIA Portal. Siemens utilizes four distinct, hierarchical protection levels for the CPU: Protection Level Read Access Write Access Description S7-1200 Password Unlock
Default setting. Anyone can upload, download, and modify code.
Siemens regularly patches these vulnerabilities in firmware updates. Consequently, older PLCs (e.g., firmware v2.x or early v3.x) are significantly more vulnerable to unlocking tools than modern units running firmware v4.x or higher. Power the CPU back on
Power on the PLC. The internal load memory (and the password-protected program) will be wiped.
If the PLC protection level is set to "Read Access" or "HMI Access" (rather than "No Access"), you might still be able to communicate with the device online to perform a reset without a physical memory card. Connect your PC to the S7-1200 via an Ethernet cable. Open TIA Portal and navigate to the . A market exists for third-party S7-1200 unlock tools
For a SIMATIC S7-1200 CPU, there is no official "password recovery" feature that reveals a forgotten password. If the password is lost, the only official recovery method is to perform a using a specialized Siemens Memory Card (SMC), which erases all user program data. Recovery via Siemens Memory Card (SMC)
: Use a standard Siemens Memory Card (e.g., 2MB or larger) and delete all existing files using a computer. Set Card Type to "Transfer" : In TIA Portal , navigate to the card reader folder. Right-click the memory card and select Properties . Set the card type to Transfer . Execute the Reset : Power off the PLC. Insert the "Transfer" card into the CPU slot. Power on the PLC.
The most common way to bypass a lost password is to use an empty SIMATIC Memory Card (MMC) configured as a "Transfer" card. Preparation: