Allowing SSH root login on Ubuntu 20.04 step by step instructions
Step 1
Open the /etc/ssh/sshd_config file with administrative privileges and change the following line:
FROM:
#PermitRootLogin prohibit-password
TO:
PermitRootLogin yesThe quick way to do this job could be just to simply use the sed command as shown below:
$ sudo sed -i 's/#PermitRootLogin prohibit-password/PermitRootLogin yes/' /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Step 2
Restart SSH service:
$ sudo systemctl restart ssh
Step 3
By default the root’s password is not set on Ubuntu 20.04 and the error message Permission denied, please try again will appear when attempting to SSH login as a root user. From this reason we need to set root’s password. When prompted enter your current user password followed by new root password:
$ sudo passwd
[sudo] password for linuxconfig:
Enter new UNIX password:
Retype new UNIX password:
passwd: password updated successfullyStep 4
Given that your Ubuntu 20.04 system allows incoming traffic on port 22/ssh, you should now be ready to SSH login as root:
$ ssh root@ubuntu-server
root@ubuntu-server's password:
Welcome to Ubuntu Focal Fossa (GNU/Linux 5.3.0-23-generic x86_64)