Unable to log in with SSH or Luci

Installing and Using OpenWrt
1

I have been searching the forum's history, but don't find anything newer than about 2022.

For some time after building my machine, an e8450, I was able to SSH in and also to access the system with my web browser.

I have not done so in a week or so, and, when I tried to log in again yesterday, I just tells me that my password is no good. ( SSH just asks for another password, Luci says "Invalid username and/or password! Please try again." )

I have a post-boot copy of the configuration ( /etc/config ), but nothing since I configured all of the port forwards and static IP assignments.

Is there any solution aside from starting again from scratch?

Thank you,
Brian

2

fail-safe mode.
You can log in without password, mount the root filesystem (with mount_root , and change root password (with passwd). Requires physical access to a push button to trigger the failsafe mode.

Ps. But in general, it is suspicious if the root password has really changed without you making the change. You might be better off by starting from scratch.

1 Like
3

Thank you.

Yes, I agree that this is strange.

I am about to leave for a few hours, but will further experiment after I return

Thank you

4

Did you use username root

1 Like
5

when I was having difficulty logging in through ssh I needed to reset my router for this sadly

cause for some reason it didnt work until it had been reset and updated the firmware

6

Yes, as always.

1 Like
7

Maybe stupid question, but why are you using password auth anyway?

You can use pub key and just ssh to your router no need for password.

8

Good point.

Since it was early days, I had not "bothered" with that step, but you are right.

I can't use that for Luci, can I, though?

9

No you can’t use that in luci as i know. But you can use valutwarden and store your passwords locally if you have problem reminding all them. There is also bitwarden addon for google chrome so it can fill in your passwords. You don’t have to remember it anymore.

10

I would check the drive, if it is ok with being operated 24x7.

I had occasional login problems on my x86-OpenWRT, while routing and NATing was still working. Every once in a while over months this would happen. Shutting it down and sometimes rebooting it a couple of times magically fixed it for a few weeks.

I was using a Sandisk USB SD card adapter for booting OpenWRT from SD card. The SD card was fine and even specified for heavy write load and 24x7. After a while, it turned out that that adapter is low quality, it can’t handle 24x7 and kept hanging after a few days. Once it crashes, it breaks file access, while the already loaded services (as long as they do not access the drive) still work. And login needs file access.

11

As recommended, I did replace password login with key-based.

Thank you all.