Forgot my root password and cannot reset it

[Skelekim614]

Hi all, a while back I forgot both my user and root passwords and haven't been able to reset them at all. I've tried pretty much everything. I've guessed using every password I ever used, I tried using the terminal, and I even tried using a USB drive and flashing a recovery file onto it using the official Steam walkthrough. It won't even let me do that without the root password, so I can't even use the recovery mode to reset the passwords. It's getting frustrating, and even though I absolutely do not want to, I'm really considering just doing a full factory reset because it's getting more and more difficult to even do anything on here without either of the passwords. I would appreciate ANY help. Thank you very much!

[Mahjik]

Your best bet is to reimage the Deck. You can see if something in this thread helps but you'll likely be back running quicker just reimaging;

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/0/3269059787433707281/

[Skelekim614]

Originally posted by Mahjik:

Your best bet is to reimage the Deck. You can see if something in this thread helps but you'll likely be back running quicker just reimaging;

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/0/3269059787433707281/

Reimaging isn't really preferable right now, I really want to keep all my data as it is. Though that isn't possible with the Deck refusing to let me use Belena Etcher or the like. Thank you for the help, I'll try that if nothing else works. :)

[PopinFRESH]

If you're somewhat comfortable with the CLI you should be able to create the SteamOS recovery UFD and reset it via chrooting into your SteamOS install.

https://youtu.be/Ul1TnWk2pd4?t=100

[Canadian Gamer]

Isn't the whole point of a password that you can't just reset it without the password?

[jody]

Create SteamOS Recovery USB
Boot the Steam Deck with it
Open the "Terminal with repair tools" icon

The following commands will erase the sudo password
sudo ~/tools/repair_device.sh chroot
rm -f /var/lib/overlays/etc/upper/passwd
rm -f /var/lib/overlays/etc/upper/shadow

Reboot the Steam Deck and there will no longer be a sudo password assigned. You can set a new one.

[golephish]

https://youtu.be/wVAzybjkFHU

[RPG Gamer Man]

This is why you need to get a notebook and write down the password. MY dad does this same dumb practice and i always end up resetting all his passwords for him..lol.

Here is one you can get on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Password-Book-Hardcover-Alphabetical-Organizer/dp/B09KRPFCGS/

[PopinFRESH]

Originally posted by RPG Gamer Man:

This is why you need to get a notebook and write down the password. MY dad does this same dumb practice and i always end up resetting all his passwords for him..lol.

Here is one you can get on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Password-Book-Hardcover-Alphabetical-Organizer/dp/B09KRPFCGS/

🤦‍♀️ or use a decent password manager.

[TheCrazyCanuck]

Originally posted by PopinFRESH:

Originally posted by RPG Gamer Man:

This is why you need to get a notebook and write down the password. MY dad does this same dumb practice and i always end up resetting all his passwords for him..lol.

Here is one you can get on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Password-Book-Hardcover-Alphabetical-Organizer/dp/B09KRPFCGS/

🤦‍♀️ or use a decent password manager.

I cringe at the though of people writing passwords down in a book too :)

[linville4164]

Originally posted by jody:

Create SteamOS Recovery USB
Boot the Steam Deck with it
Open the "Terminal with repair tools" icon

The following commands will erase the sudo password
sudo ~/tools/repair_device.sh chroot
rm -f /var/lib/overlays/etc/upper/passwd
rm -f /var/lib/overlays/etc/upper/shadow

Reboot the Steam Deck and there will no longer be a sudo password assigned. You can set a new one.

What do you mean by create recovery on USB?

[nicoper]

Originally posted by linville4164:

Originally posted by jody:

Create SteamOS Recovery USB
Boot the Steam Deck with it
Open the "Terminal with repair tools" icon

The following commands will erase the sudo password
sudo ~/tools/repair_device.sh chroot
rm -f /var/lib/overlays/etc/upper/passwd
rm -f /var/lib/overlays/etc/upper/shadow

Reboot the Steam Deck and there will no longer be a sudo password assigned. You can set a new one.

What do you mean by create recovery on USB?

Follow the instructions outlined in this support guide.

And in the future, please start a new thread instead of necrobumping an old one.

[chrisgilfoy]

This is the answer... very easy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F96ntnf8qiQ

[RedBaronK™]

Originally posted by RPG Gamer Man:

This is why you need to get a notebook and write down the password. MY dad does this same dumb practice and i always end up resetting all his passwords for him..lol.

Here is one you can get on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Password-Book-Hardcover-Alphabetical-Organizer/dp/B09KRPFCGS/

I tattoo it backwards on my chest so when I look in the mirror it's legible, you know like that guy in the movie "Memento" 😉

[jon1657]

Originally posted by chrisgilfoy:

This is the answer... very easy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F96ntnf8qiQ

I can’t get this to work, at the step where you press end, the text on the screen is different, it doesn’t end with a 1.

Anyone able to help ?