# Enable root login on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

*2014-09-18*

> Set a root password on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS with sudo passwd root, then use su - to open a root login shell.

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:

```sh
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:

```sh
su -
```

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