> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.edbb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Reset your Linux root password

> Use recovery media and the EDBB VNC console to reset a Linux root password. Check disk access, remove the recovery ISO and verify login afterward.

<Warning>This recovery requires access to the VPS disk. Encrypted volumes need their recovery credentials. Confirm the target installation before changing accounts and keep a backup; do not format or reinstall a disk to reset a password.</Warning>

## Reset Root Password with the Helper ISO

<Info>
  Every EDBB VPS ships with a password-helper ISO. Booting from it lets you assign a new root password without reinstalling the operating system; it changes account data on the disk.
</Info>

***

## Before You Start

### Control Panel Access Ready

Confirm you can sign in to the <a href="https://my.edbb.com/clientarea.php" target="_blank">
EDBB Control Panel</a>

. All steps happen from the service Control Panel.

### Safe Maintenance Window

Plan a brief outage. The VPS reboots twice—once to load the helper ISO, once to return to disk.

### New Password Prepared

Generate a strong credential (use a password manager) so you can paste it the moment the helper prompts for input.

***

## Step 1 – Open the Control Panel

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log in">
    Sign in to the EDBB Control Panel, go to <strong>Services</strong>
    , and select the VPS that needs a fresh root password.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check power state">
    Save work and shut down the operating system cleanly when possible before using a forced boot into recovery media.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2 – Boot from the Password Helper ISO

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable console access">
    In the quick action column on the left, expand the red <strong>VNC Off</strong>
    button and choose <strong>Enable VNC</strong>
    . If you need extra guidance, see the <a href="/vps-management/enable-vnc-server">
    VNC guide</a>

    .
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Installation → ISO Boot">
    Switch to the <strong>Installation</strong>
    tab at the top of the service view, then click the <strong>ISO Boot</strong>
    sub-tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Mount the helper ISO">
    Select <strong>1\_Password-Reset-Helper.iso</strong>
    , tick <strong>Force reset & boot from the selected ISO</strong>
    , and click <strong>Mount ISO</strong>
    .
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the console">
    Launch the built-in console (or your preferred VNC client) to watch the helper boot.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/jk221gGjGVanns-Password-Reset-Helper.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=2915ed3265a0dabc8f763bcde7325493" alt="Password-Reset-Helper" width="935" height="673" data-path="assets/jk221gGjGVanns-Password-Reset-Helper.png" />

***

## Step 3 – Set the New Root Password

1. Click inside the console window to capture the keyboard.
2. Wait until the helper finishes loading—you’ll see the on-screen prompt.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/uLxSPwfKVMf9QP5wS5E-loadiso.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=40a32c1ee09898ef1a0041c08a75652e" alt="Reset Linux Password" width="640" height="480" data-path="assets/uLxSPwfKVMf9QP5wS5E-loadiso.png" />
3. Enter the new root password and press **Enter**.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/tXo35rruULtcDq5XS2w-Enter-new-root-password.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=22fe279077ef90dc49ade772ccaa6df4" alt="Reset Linux Password" width="1024" height="768" data-path="assets/tXo35rruULtcDq5XS2w-Enter-new-root-password.png" />
4. Re-enter the password to confirm. A success message appears.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/jeKwpMQkTdx2ZDzyQxib-continue.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=a239aa3a0167b412403e65d23ede78ac" alt="Reset Linux Password" width="1024" height="768" data-path="assets/jeKwpMQkTdx2ZDzyQxib-continue.png" />
5. Press **Enter** again. The helper automatically unmounts itself and reboots the VPS from disk.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/qdw2kfTSEeitQxPjo5Pm-unmount-drive.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=5748989c7357e2e436f1bd3b8071a464" alt="Reset Linux Password" width="1024" height="768" data-path="assets/qdw2kfTSEeitQxPjo5Pm-unmount-drive.png" />
6. Wait for the operating system to boot, then verify the changed account through the console. SSH may still disallow root or password login according to its configuration.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/C2wnUn7YWnYg3TUjxNgm-root-debian12.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=cf970ccb968435e0882b4b0ff1f245ed" alt="Reset Linux Password" width="720" height="400" data-path="assets/C2wnUn7YWnYg3TUjxNgm-root-debian12.png" />

<Warning>
  Write the password to your manager immediately—EDBB does not resend credentials. Treat the helper ISO as a temporary tool; leave it mounted only while you complete the reset.
</Warning>

***

## Step 4 – Return to Normal Boot

<Steps>
  <Step title="Unmount the ISO">
    Back in the <strong>Installation → ISO Boot</strong>
    tab, click <strong>Unmount</strong>
    so the VPS boots from disk next time.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Disable console access">
    Turn VNC back off if it is only needed for recovery.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Secure the credential">
    Store the new password in your team’s password manager and share it only with trusted administrators.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<span id="aftercare-checklist" />

## After resetting your password

* Replace password authentication with SSH keys once you confirm access.
* Review sudo/root accounts regularly to ensure they’re still required.
* Save the recovery steps somewhere you can reach if you lose access again.

Test a new SSH connection before closing the console.