Reset root password of an ESXi host

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides steps to change or reset a lost or forgotten root password of an ESXi host.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 6.X
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.X
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.X

Resolution

Note: In some cases a defective keyboard can cause problems logging into an ESXi host. Please test with a different physical keyboard if you are having difficulties with known login credentials.

If the root account password has been forgotten or is not documented, it might be possible to change it without reinstalling.



Note: The procedure(s) below performs a password reset. This blindly replaces the existing root password with a new one. This is not a password recovery mechanism. That is, it does not allow the old password to be learned. VMware/Broadcom does not provide tools or methods to recover the original root password of an ESXi host.

 

Reset ESXI password if forgotten or lost:

If the host is managed by vCenter and is still connected, it is possible to the reset by leveraging the host profile feature. For Host Profile feature you must have Enterprise Plus Licensing - For more information refer to KB: Reset ESXi Root Password with Host Profile

If the host is standalone and not managed by vCenter, then re-installing ESXi is the only option.

 

Change ESXI password:

If the current host password works to change password, then refer to Changing ESXI password.

Additional Information