[[chap-how-to-reset-a-root-password]]
= How to Reset the root Password

include::{partialsdir}/unreviewed-message.adoc[]

Setting up a root password is one of the steps when installing Fedora.
If you forget, or lose, the root password, there are two common methods to reset it:

* In Rescue Mode

* Using a Fedora Live Media (USB/DVD/CD)


[[sect-how-to-reset-the-password-from-emergency-or-single-user-mode]]
== How to reset the root password in Rescue Mode

[NOTE]

====

Changing passwords as root does not prompt for the old password.

====

While booting the system the xref:bootloading-with-grub2.adoc[GRUB2] menu will be displayed.
To boot the system into rescue mode using `bash` follow these steps:

. Use the arrow keys to select the boot entry you want to edit

. Press *e* to edit that entry

. Use the arrow keys to go to the line that starts with `linux`, `linux16`, or `linuxefi`

. Go the the end of that line, add a space then type `rw init=/bin/bash`.
  If your disk is encrypted, you may need to add `plymouth.enable=0`

. Press *Ctrl-x* or *F10* to boot that entry

. Run the command:
+
[source,bash]

----

passwd

----
+
It will prompt you to enter the new root password twice.

. Restore the SELinux context and permissions with:
+
[source,bash]

----

touch /.autorelabel

----

+

[WARNING]

====

If you do not restore the SELinux permissions, the boot process may fail.
You may have to do a hard-reboot and start back at step 1.

====

. Reboot the machine with:
+
[source,bash]

----

/sbin/reboot -f

----

The system may take a while to boot as SELinux will be relabeling its permissions on the filesystem.
If you see the Plymouth boot screen you can press the `ESC` key on your keyboard to view the SELinux progress.
Once it is complete, your system is ready and your root password has been successfully changed.

[[sect-reset-password-using-the-fedora-live-media]]
== How to reset the root password with a Fedora Live Media

[NOTE]

====

To download and create a live USB of Fedora Workstation, follow the instructions on the xref:creating-and-using-a-live-installation-image.adoc[Fedora USB Live Media Quick Doc].

====

. Boot the Live installation media and choose `Try Fedora`

. From the desktop, open a terminal and switch to root using `su` (it won't ask for a password)

. To view your hard drive device nodes, in the terminal type: `df -H`.
  For this example we will use `/dev/sda1` for the `/boot` partition and `/dev/sda2` for the root `/` partition.
+
If you are using LVM partitions, type: `sudo lvscan` and note the `/dev` path of your root partition.
For this example we will use `/dev/fedora/root`.

. Create a directory for the mount point (use the `-p` option to create subdirectories):
+
[source,bash]

----

mkdir -p /mnt/sysimage/boot

----

. Mount the `/` (root) partition (be sure to use the actual device node or LVM path of your root `/` partition):
+
To mount root on a *standard partition* scheme enter:
+
[source,bash]

----

mount /dev/sda2 /mnt/sysimage

----
+
To mount root on an *LVM partition* scheme enter:
+
[source,bash]

----

mount /dev/fedora/root /mnt/sysimage

----

. Continue the process by mounting `/boot`, `proc`, `/dev`, and `/run` with:
+
[source,bash]

----

mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/sysimage/boot

mount -t proc none /mnt/sysimage/proc

mount -o bind /dev /mnt/sysimage/dev

mount -o bind /run /mnt/sysimage/run

----

. `chroot` to the mounted root partition with:
+
[source,bash]

----

chroot /mnt/sysimage /bin/bash

----

. Change the root password:
+
[source,bash]

----

passwd

----

. Exit out of chroot with:
+
[source,bash]

----

exit

----
+
and exit out of the terminal.

. Reboot your system and boot from the hard drive.

Congratulations, your root password has been successfully changed.

[[sect-additional-troubleshooting]]
== Additional Troubleshooting

. If you cannot enter rescue mode because you forgot the Firmware/BIOS password here are some options:

.. Refer to your computer's documentation for instructions on resetting the Firmware/BIOS password in CMOS memory.

.. Temporarily move the system hard disk to another machine, and follow the procedures above to reset the root password.

. If you have set a password for your boot loader, refer to xref:creating-and-using-a-live-installation-image.adoc[Creating and Using a Live Installation Image].

. If you want to reset the boot loader password, refer to the instructions on how to link:++https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Reset_Bootloader_Password++[Reset the Bootloader Password].
