# How to recover passwords for Control Software accounts on the MiSeq i100 and NovaSeq X Series Instruments
**Background**
All Control Software User accounts on the MiSeq i100 and NovaSeq X Series platforms require a password to login, which needs to be updated at regular intervals. Sequencer Operator accounts can update their password when prompted by a password expiration notification. Administrator accounts can reset Sequencer Operator and Administrator account passwords at any time.
When an Administrator resets a password for another User account, a temporary password is set, and the User can sign in using this temporary password to then set their new password.
*Resetting a Control Software User password*
1. Initialize the MiSeq i100 or NovaSeq X Series Control Software and log in to an **Administrator** account.
2. Access the Users user interface (UI):
1. NovaSeq X Series:
1. Select the **instrument icon** to open the global navigation menu.
2. Select **Settings**, and then select **Users**.
2. MiSeq i100 Series
1. Select the **menu icon** in the top-left corner.
2. Select **Settings**, and then select **Users**.
3. Select the **User** to edit.
4. Select **Reset password** and input a new temporary password for the User account.
5. Select **Save**.
6. Log out of the **Administrator** account and then login to the User account using the **temporary password**.
7. Input a **new password** for the User account, then re-enter the password to confirm.
For additional information, see the platform-specific Product Documentation:
[System Configuration - User Accounts](https://support-docs.illumina.com/IN/NovaSeqX/Content/IN/NovaSeqX/UserRequirements.htm) section of the NovaSeq X Series Product Documentation.
[Settings - People - Users](https://support-docs.illumina.com/IN/MiSeqi100Series/Content/IN/MiSeqi100/SysAccounts.htm) section of the MiSeq i100 Series Product Documentation.
*Using the "Forgot Password?" Recovery Option*
If the user Security Questions have been configured, users can select the **Forgot Password?** option to recover the password. See Knowledge Article [Configuring User Security Questions on the MiSeq i100 and NovaSeq X Series Platforms](/instrumentation/general/instrumentation-general-reference_material-list/000010191.md) for details.
1. On the Control Software local login screen, select **Forgot Password?** to initiate password recovery (Figure 1).
2. Answer the **Security Questions** configured for that User account, then select **Continue** (Figure 2).
3. After verifying the User identity, input a new password and re-enter the password to confirm, then select **Reset** (Figure 3).
1. The Password Recovery process resets the password and does not use an temporary intermediate password.
4. On the local login UI, login to the User account using the **new password**.
**Figure 1**: The Forgot Password? selection on the local login screen.
**Figure 2**: Answering the Security Questions to authenticate the user.
**Figure 3**: Resetting the User password after correctly inputting the Security Questions.
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| *For any feedback or questions regarding this article (Illumina Knowledge Article #7773), contact Illumina Technical Support* [*techsupport@illumina.com*](mailto:techsupport@illumina.com?subject=Question%2FFeedback%20Regarding%20Illumina%20Knowledge%20Article%20#000010191%20-%20Instrumentation%20\&body=Dear%20Illumina%20Technical%20Support,%0D%0A%0D%0A)*.* |
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