# How to reset the root password on Ubuntu 16.04 dedicated server (/docs/tutorials/password-and-authentication/reset-root-password-ubuntu-16-04-dedicated)













If you have lost the root password of your server and cannot access it as root, this article will help you resolve this issue. You must access the server console via the [Customer Portal](https://portal.servers.com/).

### Password reset algorithm

1. Restart the server
2. Before the OS starts, change boot parameters in the GRUB boot menu
3. Load the OS in single-user mode
4. Set a new root password without the old one being required

### Step-by-step guide

If the server is on, restart it by pressing **Ctrl+Alt+Del** in the VNC console. After the BIOS menu, before the OS starts, a timer appears — press any key (preferably **ESC**) to stop it and access the GRUB boot menu.

<img alt="Filesystem checks and password update in console" src={__img0} />

Use the **↓** and **↑** keys to navigate through the menu, select your boot line (often `* Ubuntu`), and press **e** to access the boot editing options.

<img alt="GRUB bootloader editor with Ubuntu boot parameters" src={__img1} />

Find the line that starts with `linux /boot`. At the end of that line, change the `ro` parameter to `rw` and add `init=/bin/bash` after a space.

<img alt="GRUB bootloader configuration screen" src={__img2} />

Press **Ctrl+X** or **F10** to start the system. You will get a root console — run:

```bash
passwd root
```

Enter the new root password twice.

<img alt="Terminal with Linux boot process and filesystem check" src={__img3} />

<img alt="Console showing filesystem checks and password update" src={__img4} />

The root password is now changed. Save changes and restart:

```bash
sync
reboot -f
```