Azure VMs can be finicky when it comes to password management, and one common issue is the inability to set a password.
The password policy is a crucial setting that determines the complexity requirements for passwords. For example, passwords must be at least 12 characters long and contain at least 3 types of characters, such as uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
One possible cause of this issue is an incorrect password policy setting, such as a minimum password length that's too short. For instance, if the policy requires 8 characters, the system won't accept a longer password.
Another potential cause is an expired password policy. If the policy is set to expire after a certain period, the system won't allow you to set a password until the policy is updated.
Prerequisites
Before attempting to reset the admin password on an Azure VM, make sure the VM agent is installed. This is a crucial step that ensures the VM is properly configured for password reset.
If your VM was built from an image in the gallery, the VM agent should already be installed. However, if you've uploaded your own image to Azure, you'll need to ensure the VM agent is installed.
To reset the local administrator password, you'll need to use the Azure PowerShell module, specifically the `Install-Module -Name Az` command. This module is required for the password reset process.
Ensure that the Azure PowerShell module is installed on your system before proceeding with the password reset. This will save you time and effort in the long run.
Troubleshooting
The password issue on your Azure VM can be frustrating, but don't worry, we've got you covered.
Check if the password policy is set to require complex passwords. If it is, try setting a password that meets the policy requirements.
Make sure the password is not too long, as Azure VMs have a maximum password length of 72 characters.
Reset the password for the local administrator account, as this is often the account that's causing the issue.
Verify that the password is not being blocked by Azure's password blocking feature, which can block passwords that are too similar to previous ones.
Sources
- https://stackoverflow.com/questions/33312526/reset-azure-vm-password-fails-cannot-remote-into-it
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/663436/anyone-else-having-trouble-resetting-the-vm-passwo
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/163224/azure-vm-failed-to-change-password
- https://serverfault.com/questions/888633/cant-access-azure-vm-or-reset-password-config
- https://www.whatsupgold.com/blog/how-to-reset-an-azure-vm-password-the-easy-way
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