# Proxmox VE root pass reset (break the glass)

If you forgot the password, it is possible to change passowrd from the machine's console (physical access required):

## Reset root password inside rescue shell:

Boot the server.

In GRUB find `Proxmox VE GNU/Linux` and press `e` to edit boot entry.

[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/RCuTMYNMQn2p4BJm-image-1781414908820.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/RCuTMYNMQn2p4BJm-image-1781414908820.png)

Config file will open, Find the line starting with `linux` (to load Linux kernel)

Add at the end of the that same line (not to the end of the file):
```bash
init=/bin/bash
```
[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/IUojKeLW5VVPxzMg-image-1781415074909.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/IUojKeLW5VVPxzMg-image-1781415074909.png)

Boot with
```
CTRL+X
```
Remount filesystem in read-write mode:
```bash
mount -o remount,rw /
```
[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/MvNIbeUa6681EEaX-image-1781415132247.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/MvNIbeUa6681EEaX-image-1781415132247.png)

Check the disk (optionally) to verify the disk is re-mounted:
```bash
df -hT
```

Change root's password:
```bash
passwd
```
[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/h14jsqvw6oHB9aT8-image-1781415506598.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/h14jsqvw6oHB9aT8-image-1781415506598.png)

Reboot
```bash
reboot -f
```
[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/i39lw4HY3kjj3QGk-image-1781415607709.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/i39lw4HY3kjj3QGk-image-1781415607709.png)

Login with new pass, usually to port 8006
```url
https://nn.nn.nn.nn:8006/
```
[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/KEz6vGXNNVC5WYdG-image-1781359028116.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/KEz6vGXNNVC5WYdG-image-1781359028116.png)

and press [Login]

[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/uN8E5lOf9zaAzhpM-image-1781359109043.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/uN8E5lOf9zaAzhpM-image-1781359109043.png)

Change password (top-right, under username and 'Password')

[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/e9jn5UCYzUBU3rVp-image-1781359199232.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/e9jn5UCYzUBU3rVp-image-1781359199232.png)

Create admins user group

[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/HEAHctzr4j58NsLY-image-1781359486974.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/HEAHctzr4j58NsLY-image-1781359486974.png)

Create another admin user, add to admin user group created above

[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/fXy3RZo5uYEKkwCu-image-1781359547412.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/fXy3RZo5uYEKkwCu-image-1781359547412.png)

Define user's password

[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/N0qzy6BX8tk56Nnl-image-1781359619523.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/N0qzy6BX8tk56Nnl-image-1781359619523.png)

Add group permissions

[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/TFC3UvFMZbqMJzcI-image-1781359712028.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/TFC3UvFMZbqMJzcI-image-1781359712028.png)

Define permissions

[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/pjj9fAWjSzn0uf0V-image-1781359752431.png)](https://storage.googleapis.com/iau-data-dox/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/pjj9fAWjSzn0uf0V-image-1781359752431.png)