HT202035: Mac OS X: sudo command requires a non-blank admin password

Learn about Mac OS X: sudo command requires a non-blank admin password
qzmdtc
Level 1 (8 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Sudo command-it has a small key icon behind it and prevents me from entering the password

As I stated in the title, thanks in advance!

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jun 6, 2016 1:49 AM

by BobHarris,Apple recommended
BobHarris BobHarris
Level 6 (19,432 points)
Mac OS X
A:

The lock icon is a decoration and nothing more.

 

Type your password, then the <return> key.

 

While typing, NOTHING will echo, but the sudo command is seeing everything you type.

Posted on Jun 6, 2016 3:42 AM

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qzmdtc

Q: Sudo command-it has a small key icon behind it and prevents me from entering the password

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  • Helpful answers

  • by BobHarris,Apple recommended

    BobHarris BobHarris Jun 6, 2016 3:42 AM in response to qzmdtc
    Level 6 (19,432 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 6, 2016 3:42 AM in response to qzmdtc

    The lock icon is a decoration and nothing more.

     

    Type your password, then the <return> key.

     

    While typing, NOTHING will echo, but the sudo command is seeing everything you type.

  • by leroydouglas,

    leroydouglas leroydouglas Jun 7, 2016 11:53 AM in response to qzmdtc
    Level 7 (23,544 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 7, 2016 11:53 AM in response to qzmdtc

    Your password will not echo

  • by BobTheFisherman,

    BobTheFisherman BobTheFisherman Jun 7, 2016 11:56 AM in response to qzmdtc
    Level 6 (15,339 points)
    Jun 7, 2016 11:56 AM in response to qzmdtc

    Given your unfamiliarity with how terminal and the sudo command work, be very careful what you are doing. You can quickly and easily mess up your computer.

  • by mikexr,

    mikexr mikexr Jun 8, 2016 4:38 PM in response to BobTheFisherman
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 8, 2016 4:38 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

    I am quite familiar with su.  Having the same issue.  This didn't start until i did the upgrade to El Capitan.  I am the administrator on my mac and it fails when i enter my password.  is there some setting somewhere that i need to set now.  I need to get to syslog and can't because i can't run sudo

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Jun 8, 2016 5:00 PM in response to mikexr
    Level 6 (19,432 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 8, 2016 5:00 PM in response to mikexr

    mikexr wrote:

     

    I am quite familiar with su.  Having the same issue.  This didn't start until i did the upgrade to El Capitan.  I am the administrator on my mac and it fails when i enter my password.  is there some setting somewhere that i need to set now.  I need to get to syslog and can't because i can't run sudo

    'su' by itself need the 'root' account password, but by default OS X disables 'root' account logins, as it is a serious security risk on any Unix platform.

     

    'sudo' takes the current user's password, assuming the current user is an administrator.

     

    If you are not logged in as an administrator, you can use

     

    su admin_users_shortname -c 'sudo command arguments'

     

    As to why you cannot run 'sudo', we would need to see error messages that you are getting.  Also if your account is part of the '80(admin)' group

    id -a     # and look for '80(admin)'