Oops, Forgot Your vCenter Password? Here's How to Rescue Root and SSO Like a Pro!
AmirKhatam Pedram
VMware SDDC Specialist | Tanzu Architect | HPE Server & Storage Expert | DELL Storage Expert
Key Steps for vCenter Root and SSO Administrator Password Recovery
1- Reset vCenter Root Password
1-1 Access vCenter console via ESXi Host Client or KVM.
1-2 Reboot the vCenter Appliance.
1-3 Interrupt boot sequence at GRUB, press ‘e’, add rw init=/bin/bash to the kernel line.
1-4 Boot into single-user mode, run passwd to reset root password.
1-5 Remount file system with mount -o remount,rw / and reboot.
2- Reset SSO Administrator Password (VAMI Method)
2-1 Access VAMI at https://<vcenter-ip>:5480.
2-2 Go to Access tab > Edit under Single Sign-On.
2-3 Select Administrator Password Reset and set a new password for [email protected].
3- Reset SSO Password via vCenter Shell
3-1 SSH into vCenter Server with root credentials.
3-2 Run /usr/lib/vmware-vmdir/bin/vdcadmintool, choose reset password for [email protected].
3-3 Restart services with service-control --restart --all.