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This guide shows you how to reset the root password on a Linux VPS without reinstalling the operating system or risking data loss. You regain access by booting the machine from a specially prepared password reset image. EDIS supplies unmodified OS images without pre-installed KVM guest drivers, so you cannot change the password from the admin panel. Instead, follow the steps in this guide to securely set a new root password on your KVM-based Linux VPS. This method works on a wide range of distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, and even Arch Linux.

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Access the VPS Management Portal

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Mount password reset helper image and boot

  • Enable VNC Server
  • Click Mount ISO
  • In the drop-down list, select the image: 1_Password-Reset-Helper.iso 💿
  • Check the box ✅ force reset & boot from the selected ISO, then click the Mount ISO button Select the Password Reset Helper ISO The screenshot shows the image selection before enabling force reset.
  • Open noVNC or connect with a VNC client (RealVNC Viewer, TightVNC Viewer, UltraVNC)

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Open the browser console

  1. Click “Open Console” to see console output
  2. Click into the noVNC browser window to set focus
  3. Wait patiently while the ISO loads automatically: SystemRescue boot menu with the default boot option highlighted
  4. Once the ISO has successfully loaded, the helper prompts you to change the password: Linux recovery helper prompting for a new root password
  5. Enter a new strong password and press Enter ⌨️
  6. The helper displays the new password and Continue ?. Check the password, then press Enter to proceed. The screenshot below masks the password. The actual helper displays it. Continue prompt after password entry; the password is hidden
  7. When Linux root password has been reset. appears, press Enter at the unmount-and-exit prompt: Password reset confirmation and prompt to unmount and exit
  8. The VPS then reboots automatically. When the OS has rebooted, log in as root with the new password. Run whoami to confirm that the session is using the root account: whoami returns root after logging in with the new password

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Unmount the ISO

After you reset the password, unmount the ISO (Password Reset Helper) image in the VPS Management Portal.

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Disable VNC access

Now close the noVNC tab and disable VNC access in the VPS Management Portal.

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Credentials updated successfully! 🐧

You have successfully reset the Linux root password using the provided recovery image. Your VPS now uses the updated credentials, and you have administrative access again. You can now continue with any maintenance or configuration tasks.
Last modified on September 30, 2026