Password Troubleshooting

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Troubleshooting

What problem are you having?

  • I changed the password policy, but the changes have not taken effect.

  • When I define a policy setting in account lockout policy, the Suggested Value Changes dialog box opens, suggesting that I change my other policy settings.

  • I am trying to log on to Windows 95, Windows 98, or another product, and the password is not working.

I changed the password policy, but the changes have not taken effect.

Cause:  Policy settings have not been updated.

Solution:  Click Start, click Run, type gpupdate, and then click OK. This refreshes policy settings, and it updates the changes to password policy on the computer.

See also:  Gpupdate

When I define a policy setting in account lockout policy, the Suggested Value Changes dialog box opens, suggesting that I change my other policy settings.

Cause:  Account lockout duration must be greater than or equal to the time defined in Reset account lockout counter after. If you define the policy settings so that the Reset account lockout counter after time is greater than Account lockout duration, the Suggested Value Changes dialog box appears, reminding you to change the policy settings so that they adhere to the policy setting guidelines.

Solution:  In the Suggested Value Changes dialog box, click OK to change the policy settings to the suggested values, or click Cancel, and then define the policy settings yourself.

See also:  Account Lockout Policy; Apply or modify account lockout policy

I am trying to log on to Windows 95, Windows 98, or another product, and the password is not working.

Cause:  The password is longer than 14 characters. Windows 95 or Windows 98 computers only recognize passwords that are 14 characters or less.

Solution:  Log on to another computer and change the password so that it is 14 characters or less.

See also:  Change an existing password; Strong passwords

Cause:  The system that you are using does not support unusual characters, such as spaces or characters in the extended ASCII character set.

Solution:  Log on to another computer and change the password so that it does not contain these special characters.

See also:  Change an existing password; Strong passwords