MAC High Sierra password stopped working

high sierramacpassword

This happened today, and I am writing this in case someone else have the same issue.

I have a corporate MAC, have separate password for Corporate and local password for the MAC.

Everything was fine, today the password stopped working, I was sure it is the password, won't work.

What didn't work…

  1. Single User Mode -> Setup Assistant -> New User -> Login as new user -> sudo passwd <myusername>. Threw an error about authentication method not acceptable.
  2. Tried to reset from Users and Groups. The Reset Password button was not even there.
  3. Tried entering wrong password multiple times to trigger Apple ID reset, nothing.
  4. Command+R for Recovery mode didn't even take me to Recovery Mode.

Machine Specs:
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)
macOS High Sierra Version 10.13.6.

Best Answer

So, here is what worked!

  1. I went to Directory Utility.
  2. Directory Editor
  3. Compared the Authentication Authority for working user and locked user.
  4. Noticed this new entry on the top: ;LocalCachedUser;/Active Directory/xxxx:5D79515xxxx3B24B.
  5. Removed the entry and rebooted.

Voila, everything is working fine!

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