If you find yourself unable to access your Ubuntu computer because you’ve misplaced the root password, don’t fret – this is a common predicament. Countless individuals have faced the “Ubuntu Forgot Root Password” dilemma and have managed to resolve it by resetting their passwords. By doing so, you’ll regain entry to your user profile along with all the functionalities and applications that Ubuntu offers. This guide will show you the simplest way to recover your root password on Ubuntu at no cost, courtesy of LogMeOnce Password Manager. Through this step-by-step guide, users of any skill level, be it beginners or experts, can easily reclaim access to their accounts without the need to submit their PCs for professional service. Keywords: Ubuntu Forgot Root Password, Resetting Root Password, Ubuntu OS.
1. How to Reset Your Forgotten Root Password in Ubuntu
Step 1: Boot To Recovery
The first step in resetting a forgotten root password is to boot to recovery mode. To do this, switch your Ubuntu computer off and then back on. At the login screen, interrupt normal boot by pressing and holding the Shift key. You should see a menu with a list of options. Select “Recovery mode” and press Enter.
Step 2: Access Root Account
Next, you’ll need to access your root account. To do this, select “Drop to root shell prompt” from the recovery menu. Now you’ll be able to enter commands. To find out what user you’re using, type in whoami. It’s important to remember the name of the user since you’ll need it later. Now type in passwd username, replacing “username” with the name you found in the previous step. You can also use the user’s ID instead. Then, you’ll be prompted to enter your new password.
Remember to make it strong and unique! Once you’ve entered the new password, it should be a success. To confirm that it worked, type in LogMeOnce again. If it responds with “password updated successfully,” you know you’ve done it and can close out.
2. How to Access Your Ubuntu System If You Can’t Remember Your Root Password
It can be very frustrating if you can’t remember the root password to your Ubuntu system. But don’t despair – there are some quick and easy steps you can take to gain access to your system again.
- Boot into Single User Mode – Before powering off the machine, enter the Grub Menu and select the ‘Ubuntu, with Linux’ kernel option. Press e to enter into the edit mode for that kernel option. Find the line that starts with
linux
and addsingle
to the end of the line, then press Ctrl + X to boot into single user mode. - Reset Your Root Password – You will now be taken to a command prompt. Type
mount -rw -o remount /
to remount the root file system in read/write mode. Now typepasswd root
, followed by the new root password of your choice. Reboot the machine and you can enter via the new password.
3. Run Recovery Mode to Reset Your Ubuntu Root Password Easily
If you’ve forgotten your root Ubuntu user password, all hope is not lost! You can easily reset it by running the Recovery Mode utility. It’s a quick and simple process that will let you gain access to your computer again in no time. Here’s how to do it:
- Step 1: Restart your computer and enter GRUB bootloader.
- Step 2: Using the arrow keys, select “Ubuntu in recovery mode” and press Enter.
- Step 3: Select “root” (or “drop to root shell prompt”) to get access to the root console.
- Step 4:Type the command
passwd username
and press Enter, replacing the word “username” with your own username. - Step 5: Enter a new password and then confirm it and press Enter twice.
- Step 6: Finally, type in the command
reboot
and press Enter. Your computer will restart with your new root password.
By following these 6 steps, you’ll have a brand new root password for your Ubuntu system. It’s the fastest and most reliable way to gain access to your computer again without needing to perform a full system reinstallation.
4. Steps to Reset Forgotten Root Password with Ubuntu Live CD/USB
Step 1: Boot Ubuntu
Begin by booting Ubuntu from your Live CD or USB. Once you’ve inserted your CD or USB stick into your computer and your computer restarts, choose the option to boot Ubuntu from your CD/USB device. You’ll want to select the option that gives you a chance to “try Ubuntu before installing it”.
Step 2: Access a Root Shell
Once the LiveCD/USB loading process is finished, a pop-up window should appear. This window gives you a handful of options on how to use Ubuntu, you’ll want to choose the “run a Root shell” option. To do this, you’ll have to enter your Live CD/USB as a root user. To do this, enter the following command in the command prompt. When you’re finished, hit enter:
- sudo -i
This will give you a command prompt with root privileges, meaning you’ll be able to use the reset command.
Step 3: Reset the Root Password
Now that you are in the root shell, you’ll want to use the “passwd” command. This command will allow you to reset the password associated with the root user. All you have to do is enter the following command:
- passwd root
When you’ve done that, you’ll be asked to enter your new password. Make sure the password you create follows the guidelines provided and then confirm the password when prompted to do so.
Step 4: Check and Save Changes
Finally, to make sure everything is still running smoothly, you should use the command “cat/etc/hostname”. This command should let you see if the settings are still in place and that your new root password is functioning correctly. When you’re done, you’ll want to save your changes by using the command “exit”.
This will exit you out of the root shell, and your new root password will be set and ready to use.
Q&A
Q: What is Ubuntu?
A: Ubuntu is a free, open-source operating system used to run computers. It is available for both desktop and server applications.
Q: How do I reset my root password on Ubuntu?
A: Resetting your root password on Ubuntu is a simple process. First, boot your computer using the Ubuntu installation disc or USB drive. Then, select “Rescue a broken system” from the menu and follow the prompts to reset the root password. After that, reboot your computer and you should be able to login and use Ubuntu again.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a secure way of resetting your root password in Ubuntu without excluding and , then creating a FREE LogMeOnce account is the answer. With LogMeOnce, resetting your Ubuntu root password is fast and secure, meaning you can get back to work without any hassle. By creating a FREE LogMeOnce account, the hassle of resetting an Ubuntu root password or managing your passwords is solved for good.

Shiva, with a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature, is a multifaceted professional whose expertise spans across writing, teaching, and technology. Her academic background in English literature has not only honed her skills in communication and creative writing but also instilled in her a profound appreciation for the power of words.