How to reset VPS password on Contabo

intermediate 7 min read Updated 2026-03-13

Quick Answer

The fastest way is using the Customer Control Panel: log in, select your VPS, choose Password reset, enter new password, and confirm reboot. For manual control or Windows, activate Rescue Mode, SSH in, mount partition, and reset via commands. Verify by SSH login with new credentials.

Prerequisites

Access to Contabo Customer Control Panel
SSH client for Rescue Mode
Basic command-line knowledge
VNC/RDP client for Windows
Network connectivity

Step-by-Step Instructions

Log in to Customer Control Panel

Access the Contabo Customer Control Panel (CCP) using your customer credentials to begin the password reset process[5][1].

Navigate to VPS Control

Go to Your Services or select VPS control from the left menu, then locate your server and click Manage or More[5][3].

Choose Server control for dedicated, VDS control for virtual dedicated servers[5].

Select Password Reset (CCP Method)

From the dropdown, click Password reset or Reset Credentials, enter your new password, confirm it, and optionally use Generate for a secure one[5][2]. Check the confirmation box that you saved the password, then click Perform password reset twice to initiate reboot[2][1].

Server reboots automatically; new password active in minutes[3].

Activate Rescue Mode (Alternative)

If CCP fails or for manual reset, hover over Manage > Control, select Rescue System (default Debian), generate and save temp credentials, then reboot server[4][1].

Use for advanced control or Windows servers[3].

Connect via SSH in Rescue Mode

ssh root@<your_server_ip>

Use the temporary Rescue Mode credentials received in CCP to log in[2][4].

Mount System Partition (Linux)

Identify partition with lsblk, then mount (e.g., mount /dev/sda1 /mnt) and reset root password using chroot /mnt passwd or standard Linux commands[6][3].

Typically /dev/sda1 for Linux[6].

Reset Windows Password (Rescue Mode)

Repair/mount Windows partition: ntfsfix /dev/sda2 then mount -t ntfs-3g /dev/sda2 /mnt. Run chntpw -u Administrator /mnt/Windows/System32/config/SAM, select 1 to clear password, unlock with 2, quit with q and save y[1][4].

Decrypt BitLocker first if enabled[1].

Exit Rescue and Reboot

Exit Rescue Mode in CCP, reboot to normal system. For Windows, connect via VNC immediately to set new password, then use RDP[1][4].

Mandatory for Windows after SAM edit[1].

Verify New Password

ssh root@<your_server_ip>

(Linux) or RDP/VNC (Windows). Enter new password to confirm success[1][2].

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

CCP Password Reset Not Working or Timing Out

Wait 5-10 minutes for reboot, clear browser cache, try different browser/device, or contact Contabo Support[4].

Cannot SSH After Reset (Linux)

Wait 2-3 minutes for full reboot, confirm root username and exact password, check server status[4][5].

Mounting Fails in Rescue Mode

Verify partition with <code>lsblk</code>, run <code>ntfsfix</code> for Windows, ensure correct device like /dev/sda1 or /dev/sda2[1][4].

Windows Password Not Cleared

Confirm Administrator username, use chntpw options 1 (clear) and 2 (unlock), set new password via VNC/RDP immediately[1][4].

BitLocker Blocks Access

Decrypt disk before Rescue Mode; required for Windows encrypted partitions[1].

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