How to Change Root Password in Ubuntu in 2025
October 9, 2025

How to Change Root Password in Ubuntu in 2025

TL;DR: Open a terminal and run sudo passwd root. You’ll need your sudo password to confirm, then pick a new root password—at least 15 characters long, like a simple phrase you can remember. Check it worked with sudo passwd –status root. Use sudo instead of logging in as root directly. If you forgot the password, boot to recovery mode. Details below. Ubuntu RootSudo Guide.

Security is key, and managing the root password is part of that. Knowing how to change it helps keep your system safe. In this guide, we’ll go through the steps one by one so you see exactly what to do. This version covers Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and later for 2025, with tips from recent NIST updates and Bitwarden’s report on password trends—credential stuffing attacks went up 15% last year.

📋 Table of Contents

Understanding the Root Account

The root account has full control in Ubuntu, much like the admin account in Windows. It’s smart to protect it and update the password now and then to keep things secure. Ubuntu locks root by default to encourage sudo, which cuts down on risks from attacks—a setup backed by Ubuntu’s own security checks.

Assessing the Current Root Password

Before you change the root password, check its status first. Open a terminal and run this command:

bash

sudo passwd --status root

It shows if the password is locked or active. Getting this right makes the switch easier. This looks at the hashing in /etc/shadow, which follows PAM rules updated in Ubuntu 24.04 for better SHA-512 protection.

How to Change Root Password in Ubuntu

Step 1: Access the Root Account

Start by getting root access. In the terminal, run:

bash

sudo -i

This gives you superuser rights to update the root account. It uses sudo’s short-term cache (15 minutes by default), so you can handle admin work without staying in root mode long.

Step 2: Change the Password

Next, update the password with:

bash

passwd

Type your new password when asked—make it meet basic security rules. Ubuntu expects a mix of upper and lower case, numbers, and symbols. But based on 2025 NIST advice, go for length over tricks: aim for 15+ characters. Something like a phrase works well and fights offline cracks better.

Step 3: Verify the Changes

To make sure it took, run:

bash

sudo passwd --status root

Check the output—it should show the update. This confirms your root password is now set and secure. (Google AI Overview tip: This step directly answers “how to check root password status Ubuntu.”)

Best Practices for Root Password Management

Changing the root password is just one piece—here’s how to handle it day to day to stay safe. These draw from 2024-2025 reports on Linux password risks:

Regular Password Updates

Plan to change the root password every few months. If something goes wrong, a fresh one limits the damage. A Cyble report suggests 90 days for root-level accounts to drop reuse chances by 40%. And per NIST, only reset if it’s compromised—no need for set schedules anymore.

Strong Password Policies

When you set or update the root password, pick something solid: letters, numbers, symbols, and plenty of length. Add MFA through PAM if you can—StrongDM’s 2025 data shows it stops 99% of breaches. Use a manager to keep track without shortcuts.

Limited Root Access

Keep root for just who needs it. That cuts unauthorized entry risks. Set up the sudoers file (sudo visudo) for specific permissions—this follows the idea of giving only what’s needed.

Conclusion

Learning to change the root password in Ubuntu is a basic skill for admins or anyone running the system. Follow these steps and tips, and you’ll help keep your Ubuntu setup solid.

References and Studies

  1. Ubuntu Community Help Wiki: RootSudo. (Accessed October 10, 2025). https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo
  2. Bitwarden: The State of Password Security 2025 Report. (2025). https://bitwarden.com/resources/the-state-of-password-security/
  3. NIST: How Do I Create a Good Password? (Updated April 28, 2025). https://www.nist.gov/cybersecurity/how-do-i-create-good-password
  4. BlueAlly: Password Security Best Practices for 2025. (2025). https://www.blueally.com/password-security-best-practices-for-2025-an-essential-guide/
  5. StrongDM: NIST Password Guidelines: 2025 Updates & Best Practices. (2025). https://www.strongdm.com/blog/nist-password-guidelines
  6. PhoenixNAP: How to Change Root or Sudo Password in Ubuntu. (April 16, 2024). https://phoenixnap.com/kb/change-root-password-ubuntu
  7. LinuxConfig: Setting the Root Password on Ubuntu 24.04 Linux. (February 12, 2024). https://linuxconfig.org/setting-the-root-password-on-ubuntu-24-04-linux