Authentication failure with SU command

General Help
1

I only installed Zorin last week and I've been getting used to it. Trying to install Java, I went to the terminal, put in su and was prompted for the password. I put it in and get "Authentication failure." I know, do I have my password right? Well, I wish I could make sure in Zorin, but I can't, because can't see them. The prompt doesn't even move when I type, and I don't know if that's normal or not.

But never mind that, I have tried to put it in between ten and fifteen times now, even reciting the letters numbers and symbols as I do. Yes, I have made sure the caps lock isn't on. Authentication works everywhere else, just not at the prompt for the "su" command.

2

It is. This prevents an observer from being able to guess your password.

I had this happen to me this past week, too.
Very strange.
Try

sudo apt install --reinstall policykit-1 policykit-1-gnome

3

It took my password. I saw the install happen. But at the end, but it didn't help. It's still giving me an authentication error message.

4

Is it only giving this error message on certain installations?

5

I need to work on my reading comprehension. I just now noticed this.
Do not use su on Zorin OS. Use sudo.

1 Like
6

Aravisian is correct, Sudo is required.

For example, I need a new brain. So, I will do, sudo apt-get StarTreker new-brain.

Screenshot from 2021-10-08 22-43-50
Screenshot from 2021-10-08 22-43-502188×1564 105 KB

7

Thanks! I hadn't used su or sudo in my life. I was strictly a Windows user.

Issue cleared!

1 Like
8

I understand completely. I only recently migrated to Linux from Windows and it was a startling learning curve. But it also opened up a whole new world to me that Windows never could.

9

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