Pro-face HMIs maintain an internal SRAM (Static RAM) or Flash memory area for storing recipes, logs, and system settings.
Q: Will a Proface HMI password unlock void my warranty? A: No. Trying to unlock a forgotten password does not void the hardware warranty. However, physically shorting pins or using malicious software does.
Q: Can I unlock a Proface HMI without a PC?
A: Partially. You can attempt the default 1101 via the touch screen. For full removal, you need a PC and GP-Pro EX.
Q: My HMI shows "Project Locked. Contact Administrator." What do I do? A: This is a Runtime password, not a Transfer password. You need to bypass the screen logic. Reboot the HMI and immediately tap the top-left corner to enter Offline Mode before the project loads. Reset the password from there. proface hmi password unlock
Q: I lost the GP-Pro EX software. Can I still unlock? A: Unlikely. Proface encrypts the password database. Without the official software or a bootable USB created by the official software, you cannot recover the password. You must purchase (or demo) GP-Pro EX.
Q: Is there a "master backdoor" for Proface? A: Officially, no. Proface has stated that for models after 2018 (SP5000 series), there is no public backdoor. If you lose the password, you must send the unit to Proface with a proof of purchase for a factory reset (costly and slow).
Proface HMIs use standard flash memory chips (Winbond, Spansion). Using a JTAG programmer (like a Segger J-Link or FT2232H): Pro-face HMIs maintain an internal SRAM (Static RAM)
Risk: High. You can permanently destroy a $2,000 HMI. Only attempt if you are an electronics engineer.
Action Step: Power cycle the HMI. When the "Transfer Mode" screen appears (usually during boot-up by holding the top-left corner of the screen), enter 1101.
You are reading this because you are locked out. Do not let this happen again. Implement a Password Vault protocol. Proface HMIs use standard flash memory chips (Winbond,
If the previous programmer used default security settings, Proface includes a universal fail-safe. While in "Offline" mode (press the top-right corner of the screen during boot or navigate via the system menu), try entering the following factory default passwords:
How to access Offline Mode: Power cycle the HMI. When the "Proface" logo appears, tap the screen or press the top-right corner repeatedly before the project loads. This bypasses the runtime project and takes you to the hardware system menu. From there, select "Maintenance" -> "Transfer" -> "Password."
For HMIs that are completely bricked by a lost password and refuse all transfers, you must go hardware-level.
To mitigate unauthorized password recovery, organizations must implement a defense-in-depth strategy: