How to Fix the Ubuntu 23.04 Login Error on VMware

Running Ubuntu on VMware should be smooth, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. If you’re stuck at the login screen or your credentials aren’t working on Ubuntu 23.04 inside VMware, you’re not alone. This common problem is usually easy to fix, and you don’t need to reinstall your OS.

Here’s how you can get past the Ubuntu 23.04 login error in VMware:

Common Symptoms

• You enter your password, but the screen flickers and loops back to the login.
• You’re sure your password is correct, but you can’t get in.
• Everything was working before, but suddenly you’re locked out after an update or reboot.

Step-by-Step Fixes

1. Boot Into Recovery Mode

1. Restart your VM.
2. When the GRUB menu appears, choose “Advanced options for Ubuntu.”
3. Select the kernel version with (recovery mode).
4. In the recovery menu, choose root to get a command prompt.

2. Check Disk Space

A full disk is a common cause for login loops.

df -h

If your root partition (/) is full, delete unnecessary files in /var/log or your Downloads folder:

rm -rf /var/log/*.gz
rm -rf ~/Downloads/*

Reboot and try logging in again.

3. Fix Broken Packages

Sometimes updates break packages. Run:

apt update
apt --fix-broken install

4. Check Permissions on Home Directory

Login loops can happen if your home directory’s permissions are wrong. In the root shell, run:

chown username:username /home/username
chmod 755 /home/username

Replace username with your actual Ubuntu username.

5. Reinstall VMware Tools (Open VM Tools)

Corrupt or outdated VMware Tools can also cause login issues.

apt remove open-vm-tools
apt install open-vm-tools

Then reboot.

6. Clear Leftover Session Files

Corrupt session files can cause problems. Run:

rm -rf ~/.Xauthority ~/.ICEauthority

Last Resort: Create a New User

If all else fails, make a new user to test logins:

adduser newuser

Set a password, then try logging in as newuser. If this works, your original user config might be corrupted.

Final Thoughts

Ubuntu 23.04 login errors on VMware are frustrating, but they’re usually fixable with the right steps. Most often, it’s a disk space issue or a permissions problem. Try the fixes above, and you’ll likely be back at your desktop in minutes.

Need to enlarge your VM’s disk to prevent space issues in the future?
Check out this step-by-step guide: How to Enlarge a Virtual Machine’s Disk in VirtualBox or VMware

If you found this guide helpful, let me know in the comments or share your own tips!

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Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!