Enable root Login with Password of AWS EC2/Lightsail Instance

1. In terminal, first run

sudo su -

2. Then edit sshd config

nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

3. Find these lines

#PermitRootLogin prohibit-password
PasswordAuthentication no

Change them respectively to these

PermitRootLogin yes
PasswordAuthentication yes

note: uncomment or remove the “#” character

Ctrl+X then Y then Enter to exit

4. Then restart sshd

systemctl restart sshd

5. Set password for root

passwd root

Enter your desired password
note: no characters will appear on the screen as you type, just proceed

To disable PEM/PPK login, repeat Step 2

Then find this line

#PubkeyAuthentication yes

Change to

PubkeyAuthentication no

Ctrl+X then Y then Enter to exit

Then restart sshd, repeat Step 4

Then logout and try to login as root