Enable root login on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS locks the root account’s password by default. You can still run administrative commands using sudo.

To set a root password, open a terminal window and run:

sudo passwd root

If sudo asks for a password, enter your own user’s password. Then enter a new root password and type it again to confirm.

To start a root shell, run:

su -

Enter the root password you just set. When you’re done, type exit to return to your regular user’s shell.