In order to change the root password you need to login to the ESXi server from the console.
login to the ESX console using root password.
#passwd new password
This will change your root password.
How are you trying to change the password? Please describe the procedure, it will help us assisting you.
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I am trying to change the password using the vSphere client, through the properties of the user root.
In order to change the root password you need to login to the ESXi server from the console.
login to the ESX console using root password.
#passwd new password
This will change your root password.
You can change the password with the vSphere client. The error may indicate that you failed to meet the complexity requirements for a password. See this article for password requirements - http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1012033.
Dave
VMware Communities User Moderator
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