Resetting Forgotten Root Password on Red Hat Linux

Forgetting your root password on a Red Hat-based system can be a frustrating experience. However, with the right steps, you can reset the root password and regain access to your system. Here’s a simple guide to help you through the process.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Reboot Your System:

   • Start by rebooting your Red Hat Linux system. During the boot process, you need to interrupt the boot loader (GRUB) to enter the command line interface.

2. Access GRUB Menu:

   • When the GRUB menu appears, select the Red Hat Linux entry and press e to edit the boot parameters.

3. Modify Boot Parameters:

   • Find the line that starts with linux or linux16. At the end of this line, add rd.break and press Ctrl + X or F10 to boot into emergency mode.

4. Remount Root Filesystem:

   • Once you are in emergency mode, you need to remount the root filesystem in read-write mode. Execute the following commands:

       mount -o remount,rw /sysroot
       chroot /sysroot
     

5. Reset the Root Password:

   • Now you can reset the root password using the passwd command. Enter a new password when prompted.

       passwd
     

6. Update SELinux Context:

   • To ensure the SELinux context is updated correctly, run:

       touch /.autorelabel
     

7. Exit and Reboot:

   • Exit the chroot environment and reboot your system:

       exit
       reboot
     

After rebooting, you should be able to log in with the new root password.

Conclusion

By following these straightforward steps, you can reset a forgotten root password on a Red Hat-based Linux system without reinstalling the OS. This process ensures that you maintain control over your system even if you forget your credentials.

For more detailed instructions and troubleshooting tips, you can refer to the full article on my Hashnode page.

Happy troubleshooting! 🚀