How to Reset Forgotten Root Password in RHEL/CentOS and Fedora
In this post will guide you simple steps to reset forgotten root password in RHEL, CentOS and Fedora Linux with example. There are various ways to reset root password which are.
- Booting into single user mode.
- Using boot disk and edit passwd file.
- Mount drive to another system and change passwd file.
Reset Forgotten Root Password
Here, in this article we are going to review “Booting into single user mode” option to reset forgotten root password.
Cautious: We urge to take backup of your data and try it out at your own risk.
STEP 1. Boot Computer and Interrupt while booting at GRUB stage hitting ‘arrow‘ keys or “space bar“.
Booting GRUB Stage
STEP 2. Type ‘a‘ to modify kernel argument. Anytime you can cancel typing ‘ESC‘ key.
Modify Kernel Argument
STEP 3. Append 1 at the end of “rhgb quiet” and press “Enter” key to boot into single user mode.
Append 1 at the Screen
STEP 4. Type command “runlevel” to know the the runlevel where you are standing. Here “1 S” state that your are in a single user mode.
Type Command runlevel
STEP 5. Type ‘passwd‘ command without username and press ‘Enter‘ key in command prompt. It’ll ask to supply new root password and re-type the same password for confirmation. “Your are Done” Congratulation!!!
Type passwd Command
What if GRUB bootloader is password protected? We’ll cover in our next article, how to protect GRUB with password and reset the same. Stay tuned…
If you find this article is helpful, or you may have some comments or query about it please feel free to contact with us through below comment box.
Hi All, I am new to Linux. I tried to break my root password with above method. but when i interupt the grub, and type
a, nothing comes up. After sometime it just loads the default OS version, but when i giveeinstead ofa, and use different sets of commands, I am able to change the root password. Can some one tell what am i missing in the above method. I am using centos 7 in my VM.@Rahul,
In CentOS 6 version, you need to press
ato enter to single user mode, while in CentOS 7, you should useeto enter into single user mode. I hope it clears your doubts..Here is the guide on How to Reset or Recover Forgotten Root Password in CentOS 7
yes Ok. Thankyou.
Same here as @ravi. It’s giving me “give the root password for maintenance.“. Version 2.6.32-358.0.1.el6.i686
Thanks for sharing, let me try the same instructions on my CentOS 6, will get back to you with solution.
It is giving the massage that give the root password for maintenance.
i am not able to attach the screenshot
@Ravi,
Which version of Linux distribution are you using? mostly it wouldn’t ask for password in maintenance mode, either you doing wrong, follow the instructions carefully..