> Source: [sk180176](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk180176)

# sk180176 - Log in to maintenance mode fails after entering Expert Password

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk180176 |
| Date Created | 2022-12-06 |
| Last Modified | 2023-11-15 |
| Technical Level | General |
| Products | Security Gateway, Security Management Server |
| Versions | R81.10 (EOS), R81 (EOS), R81.10 (EOS), R81 (EOS) |
| OS | Gaia |

## Symptoms

- * Log in to maintenance mode fails after entering Expert Password

* Attempt to enter expert mode or change expert password results in "*Wrong password"* message.

## Solution

To set or reset the expert mode, set the password hash directly from the Clish:

1. Log in to the appliance over SSH or console cable, using the admin credentials.

2. Log in to the expert mode (if the default shell is Gaia Clish):

   `expert`
3. Generate a hash of the desired expert password:

   `# grub-crypt`
4. When prompted, insert the desired password.

5. When prompted, enter the password again.

6. After you enter the password again, the password hash will be presented.

   *For example:* `# grub-crypt`

   *Password:*

   *Retype password:*
   *$6$.VDfOZGo3k4J4vkv$rtmVT8O1Xe.0ZWrYHZtlHyY1M4LRec/WQDoc4EIR8ASVWCEjCRlwEfl./UNUhO.WlSp4ju2BoN8hl5Sq.yTiT.*  
   *In this example, $6$.VDfOZGo3k4J4vkv$rtmVT8O1Xe.0ZWrYHZtlHyY1M4LRec/WQDoc4EIR8ASVWCEjCRlwEfl./UNUhO.WlSp4ju2BoN8hl5Sq.yTiT. is the hash*
7. Copy the printed password hash.

8. Log in to clish using this command:

   `# clish or exit`
9. Enter this command:

   `> set expert-password-hash `*<paste_the_printed_hash>*

   *For example:*

   `> set expert-password-hash`*$6$.VDfOZGo3k4J4vkv$rtmVT8O1Xe.0ZWrYHZtlHyY1M4LRec/WQDoc4EIR8ASVWCEjCRlwEfl./UNUhO.WlSp4ju2BoN8hl5Sq.yTiT.*
10. Verify that the hash matches the one under /etc/grub.conf using:

    `# cat /etc/grub.conf`

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