How to reset the root password on Ubuntu 16.04 dedicated server

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.

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.

Filesystem checks and password update in console

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

GRUB bootloader editor with Ubuntu boot parameters

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.

GRUB bootloader configuration screen

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

passwd root

Enter the new root password twice.

Terminal with Linux boot process and filesystem check

Console showing filesystem checks and password update

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

sync
reboot -f

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Password reset algorithmStep-by-step guide