Changing the Root Password for Linux

Below are the instructions for changing the root password for a server using Linux. Please choose the option that matches your current setup.

For Servers with CPanel/WHM

1. Log into WHM.
2. Click the ‘Server Configuration’ icon on the home screen.
3. Click ‘Change Root Password’ from the Server Configuration Menu.
4. Enter the new password in the ‘New Password’ field and retype it in the ‘Confirm New Password’ field.
5. Click ‘Change Password’ to activate.

For Servers with Plesk or No Control Panel via SSH (WINDOWS)

1. Download Putty at the following URL:  https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html and run the program.
2. Hostname = Your Server IP address
3. Port = (the default SSH port is 22)
4. Click ‘Open’ and you will be prompted to enter a username in the terminal window. Since this is root, type ‘root’ and press ‘Enter.’
5. Type your current root password and press ‘Enter.’ NOTE: You will not see any cursor movement or screen interaction while typing the password.
6. At the command prompt, type ‘passwd’ and hit ‘Enter.’ You should then see the message: ‘Changing password for user root.’
7. Enter the new password when prompted and re-enter it at the prompt ‘Retype new password.’
8. Type ‘exit’ to leave the terminal.

For Servers with Plesk or No Control Panel via SSH (MAC)

1. Open your Terminal Client.
2. Type ‘ssh root@’ where is the IP address of your server.
3. Enter your current password when prompted. Hit ‘Enter’ to be connected.
4. Type the command ‘passwd’ and press ‘Enter.’ You should then see the message: ‘Changing password for user root.’
5. Enter the new password when prompted and re-enter it at the prompt ‘Retype new password.’
6. You should see the message ‘passwd: all authentication tokens updated successfully. NOTE: After changing the root password, please update the Root Password Record in the Overview section of the Simply Cloud Control panel as it will enable us to provide better technical assistance should you need it.