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    Retrieve admin access - locked out

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
    13 Posts 4 Posters 1.3k Views
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    • JKnottJ
      JKnott @Brutamontes
      last edited by

      @brutamontes

      Do you have console access?

      PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
      i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
      UniFi AC-Lite access point

      I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

      B 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • S
        SteveITS Rebel Alliance @Brutamontes
        last edited by

        @brutamontes See https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/troubleshooting/locked-out.html

        Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
        When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to reboot, or more depending on packages, and device or disk speed.
        Upvote ๐Ÿ‘ helpful posts!

        B 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • B
          Brutamontes @JKnott
          last edited by

          @jknott
          hi,

          I am without access to the console, because this is disabled access via ssh๐Ÿ˜ฒ

          ty

          JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • B
            Brutamontes @JKnott
            last edited by

            This post is deleted!
            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • B
              Brutamontes @SteveITS
              last edited by

              @steveits
              hi

              thanks for the link, I read it carefully, but I didn't see any solution for my case.

              I have the admin password, and the process of this link is to recover the password.

              I need to re-enable web access or console access๐Ÿ˜ง

              ty

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • B
                Brutamontes @SteveITS
                last edited by

                @steveits

                when I do this procedure it resets the password to the default and
                REACTIVE console and web access?

                ....>
                /etc/rc.initial.password
                ....
                ....

                When the firewall reboots, login with the Default Username and Password.

                S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • S
                  SteveITS Rebel Alliance @Brutamontes
                  last edited by

                  One of the early lines in /etc/rc.initial.password says:
                  "The webConfigurator admin password and privileges will be reset to the default"
                  ...so if it's a permission issue that will reset those for you, sounds like.

                  SSH would be remote access. Typically "console" refers to plugging in a keyboard and monitor to the device. Netgate has instructions for their devices, e.g. https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/solutions/netgate-2100/connect-to-console.html

                  If you can get console access you should be able to edit the configuration file or copy in an old one. https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/config/xml-configuration-file.html#edit-in-place . Older configuration files should be in /conf/backup.

                  Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
                  When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to reboot, or more depending on packages, and device or disk speed.
                  Upvote ๐Ÿ‘ helpful posts!

                  B 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • JKnottJ
                    JKnott @Brutamontes
                    last edited by

                    @brutamontes

                    I was thinking more of a monitor and keyboard or even via serial port. My pfsense firewall is connected to my 4 port HDMI/USB KVM and I can also connect via the serial port.

                    PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                    i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                    UniFi AC-Lite access point

                    I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                    M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • M
                      mcury Rebel Alliance @JKnott
                      last edited by

                      You can use the console to restore the previous config

                      dead on arrival, nowhere to be found.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • B
                        Brutamontes @SteveITS
                        last edited by

                        @steveits said in Retrieve admin access - locked out:

                        #edit-in-place

                        I think this is the best solution.
                        I'll try

                        As soon as I can answer

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • B
                          Brutamontes @JKnott
                          last edited by

                          This post is deleted!
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                          • B
                            Brutamontes @SteveITS
                            last edited by

                            @steveits ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘

                            admin password reset procedure worked.
                            In addition to leaving the password as a default, it also restores the admin's access.

                            THANKS๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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