Troubleshooting vSphere Client Login Issues: Resolving the “Cannot Complete Login Due to an Incorrect User Name Or Password” Error

Encountering login issues can be frustrating, especially when you’re confident that you’re using the correct credentials. One common error that users face when attempting to log in to the vSphere client and web client is:

“Cannot Complete Login Due to an Incorrect User Name or Password.”

Surprisingly, it happens even when one can log into the ESXi console without any hitch. If you find yourself in this position, chances are that the ESXi root account has been locked due to multiple failed login attempts. This blog post will delve into the reason for the problem and step you through a step-by-step process to regain access.

Cause of the Problem

This login error occurs because the ESXi root account locks automatically with multiple failed login attempts. This security feature is so that no one logs into your system unauthorized. When the account locks, you will get the error message above when you try to log in through vSphere Client or web client.

Solution Steps

This involves the procedures where you have to follow and unlock the root account by regaining access to these steps:

Step 1

Access ESXi Direct Console

Access the ESXi Direct Console using your root credentials

Step 2

Activate ESXi Shell

Press F2 for customizing the system

Access Troubleshooting Options

Enable ESXi Shell to allow the inputting of the command line

Step 3

Access ESXi Shell

Return to the main menu.

Press CTRL+F2 to access ESXi Shell

Step 4

 Look at Failed Login Attempts

To obtain the count, attempts failed by the root.

bash

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pam_tally2 -user root

It shows each attempt that was made with the root username, which   accounted for in the process.

Step 5

Unlock

reset the lock of the account root, give this.

bash

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pam_tally2 –user root –reset

This will reset the login failed attempts count and thus unlock the account.

Step 6

Verify Access

Run the reset command. Now, try again logging in to the vSphere client or web client, but this time using your root credentials. You should see a successful login.

Conclusion

By following these very easy steps, you could easily troubleshoot about a login error that pops on the vSphere client as well as the web client. Remember that each try to log in must be well monitored to avoid a case of a locked root account for the future. In the case such an issue may not get rectified, there is something else that is wrong and may warrant further investigation.