How to Recover Forgotten Password on Ubuntu

Edited 6 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Password RecoveryUbuntuSecurityLinuxOperating SystemsAdministrationSystemRecoveryMaintenanceUser

Losing access to your Ubuntu system because you forgot your password can be frustrating. But there's no need to panic! This guide will help you go through the process of recovering your password. We'll break down the steps in as simple terms as possible, so even beginners can follow along. Whether you've just set up your system or have been using Ubuntu for a while, these instructions will help you regain access. Make sure you follow each step carefully to ensure success.

Understanding the boot process

Before getting into the specific steps for password recovery, it is important to understand the basics of the boot process in Ubuntu. When you start your computer, the BIOS or UEFI firmware takes over first. It checks the hardware components and hands over control to the boot loader. In Ubuntu, GRUB (GRand Unified Bootloader) takes care of loading the operating system.

By accessing and modifying certain options in the GRUB menu, you can initiate recovery mode, which is necessary to reset your password.

Step-by-step password recovery

Let's begin the process of recovering your forgotten password. Here is a detailed procedure that you can follow:

Step 1: Enter the GRUB menu

1. Restart your computer. As soon as it boots up, you will need to interrupt the process to access the GRUB menu. This is usually done by pressing the Esc key, Shift key, or F12 key, depending on your machine. Try these keys one by one if you are unsure.

2. When you see the GRUB menu, this will be the screen where you can select different boot options for Ubuntu.

Step 2: Access the recovery mode

1. In the GRUB menu, you should see a list of kernel versions. Select the Recovery Mode option, which usually looks like "Ubuntu, Linux with (version number) (recovery mode)". Use the arrow keys to navigate and press Enter to select.

2. The system will start to boot into recovery mode, eventually displaying the recovery menu.

Step 3: Go to the root shell prompt

1. From the Recovery menu, select the "Root" option. This allows you to access a root shell prompt, where you can execute commands with root privileges.

2. You may get a warning about working in root mode. Proceed by pressing Enter.

Step 4: Re-mount the file system

1. In the root shell, your file system is mounted in read-only mode by default. You must mount it as read-write again to reset the password. To do this, type the following command and press Enter:

mount -o remount,rw /

2. The command 'mount -o remount,rw /' remounts the root directory (/), allowing you to modify files.

Step 5: Change the user password

1. Now, you can reset the password for the user account. Type the following command, replace username with your actual username and press Enter:

password username

2. The system will prompt you to enter a new password. Type the new password, then press Enter. Be careful when doing this, as there will be no visual feedback (asterisks or characters) when you type your password.

3. Re-enter the new password when asked for confirmation. You will see a message stating that the password has been successfully updated.

Step 6: Exit and restart

1. Type the following command to safely exit the root shell:

exit

2. This will take you back to the recovery menu. From here, select the resume option to proceed with the normal boot.

3. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can choose to reboot the system directly by typing:

reboot

4. If you select the resume option and continue to boot to your login screen, try logging in using your username and your new password.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any problems during this process, here are some troubleshooting suggestions:

• Username not recognized: Double-check that you typed the username correctly. You can see the list of users by running ls /home command in a root shell.
• Password complexity: If you have trouble setting a password, make sure it meets your system's security requirements (length, character type, etc.).
• GRUB menu not showing up: Make sure you’re pressing the correct keys to interrupt the boot process immediately after restarting your machine.
• File system errors: If remounting fails or you encounter file system errors, you may need to check disk health through a utility such as fsck.

Understanding recovery mode

Recovery mode provides a special environment in which a minimal set of services keeps running, which helps repair the system when booting fails or when performing administrative tasks such as password recovery. It uses a root shell with superuser privileges, providing full access to system settings and files.

Remember, though, to be careful in recovery mode as careless changes to system files can inadvertently lead to instability or data loss.

Preventive measures

A few best practices can help you avoid facing a similar problem in the future:

• Password manager: Use a password manager to store your passwords securely. This software can save you from trying to remember a variety of complex passwords.
• Backup access: Occasionally record your login information in a secure physical notebook or document. Make sure it is stored in a securely accessible location.
• Set up recovery options: Consider enabling additional access options, such as security questions or personalized recovery processes provided by legacy systems.
• Regular updates: Update your system's security settings regularly, and maintain the integrity of its encryption standards.

Conclusion

Recovering your forgotten Ubuntu password is entirely possible through the steps explained with recovery mode. Gaining root access through GRUB allows you to safely change user credentials, thus restoring access to your account without compromising the integrity of your system.

Keep in mind that this technique involves technical procedures, access to commands, and administrative level adjustments to the system configuration. Always proceed with caution, ensuring responsible handling of superuser privileges.

Incorporate preventive strategies to avoid future mishaps and strengthen your overall system security, making technology tools reliable allies. These practical solutions will ensure that you navigate the Ubuntu landscape with greater confidence and competence.

  Share This Article

If you find anything wrong with the article content, you can request an update