Unable to apply File Sharing settings or update MSSQL user password: The password does not meet the password policy requirements

Symptoms

• It is not possible to apply File Sharing settings in Plesk. The following error appears:

  PLESK_ERROR: Error: Unable to change password for system user account user: The password does not meet the password policy requirements. Check the minimum password length, password complexity and password history requirements. (Error code 2245) at NetUserSetInfo(user) at (VSID::setUserInfo line 374) at execute console command --update-panel-user(vconsoleapp::start line 122) at execute "C:\Program Files (x86)\Parallels\Plesk\/admin/bin/usermng" --update-panel-user "--name=user" "--password=*"(vconsoleapp::run line 139)

• Attempt to update password for admin user of MSSQL Database server in Tools&Settings > Databases fails:

  PLESK_ERROR: Error: Test connection to the database server has failed:
  mssqlmng failed: Password validation failed. The password does not meet Windows policy requirements because it is too short.
  [. . ..]
  at execute "C:\Program Files (x86)\Parallels\Plesk\admin\bin\mssqlmng" --add-login "--server=203.0.113.2, 14433" "--login=sa" "--password=*" "--new-user-login=jdoe" "--new-user-password=*"(vconsoleapp::run line 139)

• Attempt to create FTP user fails with the same error.

Cause

A system user's password does not satisfy the custom Windows Password Policy.

Resolution

Update the system user's password according to the Windows Password Policy:

1. Connect to the server via RDP.
2. Press ALT+R or WIN+R > Type gpedit.msc > Click on OK.

3. Check the current Windows Password Policy going to Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Account Policies > Password Policy:

   

4. Log in to Plesk GUI.
5. Update the password for the affected user according to Windows Password Policy found in the previous step:
   • Plesk > Users (for Plesk Web Admin)
   • Plesk > Subscriptions > example.com > Users (tab) (for Plesk Web Host/Pro)

6. Increase password strength generated by Plesk going to Tools & Settings > Security Policy and change to a stronger option that matches the Windows Password Policy: