34

I am trying to login to the raspberrypi as root user via winscp, but it only says "Access denied", same thing for trying to login directly as root on ssh.

I have tried loging in as pi and doing sudo passwd root, which results in the console output passwd: Password changed successfully, however I still can't login as root

Improve this question
2
  • 1
    It is possible. But is it wise to allow remote root login? Most people are better off leaving remote root login disabled and using sudo, when required. A sensibly secure default has been chosen for a reason.
    – moo
    Jul 12, 2021 at 18:57
  • Is a there a counterpart to sudo when you want to ftp? if not I have a valid reason to login as root from filezilla and use my favorite editor on my PC to edit any file on the bloody raspberry pi. I don't want to use the crap nano, emacs, vi, ...etc :) it's backwards.
    – Meryan
    Jan 26, 2022 at 16:25

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
59

If you want to login as root using SSH or WinSCP you need to edit the config of SSHD, do this:

  • Login, and edit this file: sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
  • Find this line: PermitRootLogin without-password
  • Edit: PermitRootLogin yes
  • Close and save file
  • reboot or restart sshd service using: /etc/init.d/ssh restart
  • Set a root password if there isn't one already: sudo passwd root

Now you can login as root, but I recommend you using strong password or ssh-keys

Improve this answer
2
  • 5
    Note that if the PermitRootLogin line starts with a comment sign (#) you have to remove that sign!
    – gosuto
    Apr 27, 2018 at 7:17
  • 1
    I was helped the last line to set root password. Thanks.
    – Andrei Krasutski
    Aug 21, 2018 at 7:12
7

You cannot login as root because Raspbian does not have a root password. See Raspbian root default password

Normally ssh does not allow root access because this is considered a security risk. You should be able to do everything you need using sudo (which is the normal Debian practice).

If you REALLY want ssh root access it can be enabled.

Improve this answer
1
  • I'm very glad someone at least pointed out that this is a security risk. SSH as root is never a good idea (particularly when using password auth).
    – stevieb
    Sep 30, 2016 at 14:24
3

You can login as normal user (belong sudoer group) then 

 sudo su -

to switch to root

Improve this answer
1
  • For ssh that's fine, the main problem was winscp where I can't just use sudo
    – d0min0r4bb1t
    May 29, 2016 at 12:05
-1

You can 

sudo su

Then use passwd to change the password

Improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.