Unable to log in to the vCenter VAMI as root, root password has expired

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

You can log in to the VAMI as administrator.
You can log in to vCenter via SSH as administrator.
You cannot log in to VAMI or SSH as root.

Environment

• VMware vCenter Server 8.x
• VMware vCenter Server 7.x

Cause

The root password is expired.  

Resolution

• Take a valid snapshot or backup of vCenter.
  • If your vCenter is linked to another vCenter(s) via Enhanced Linked Mode you must take a powered off snapshot of all the linked vCenters.
    • Take a powered off snapshot of all linked vCenters.  
      • Log into the ESXi host running each vCenter.    
      • Shutdown all the linked vCenters.  
      • Once all linked vCenters are fully shutdown take a snapshot of each vCenter.   
      • Power up the vCenters.  Once you can log into vCenter continue to the next steps.  

Warning: If you revert a snapshot of a linked vCenter then you must revert all the snapshots at the same time.  Reverting only one vCenter snapshot will break replication.  

• • If your vCenter is not linked, it is recommended that you take a powered off snapshot of vCenter but a normal snapshot is supported.  
  • If your vCenter is configured to use vCenter HA (VCHA) then you must Remove VCHA before proceeding.  vCenter HA is a cluster of vCenters where one vCenter is active, one is unused/passive, and one is a witness.  To Remove VCHA see Remove a vCenter HA Configuration.
  • To backup vCenter from the VAMI, login as administrator and follow KB Manually make vCenter backup from VAMI.
• Follow KB Resetting the root password in vCenter Server Appliance to reset the root password.