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Description

The ORA-01017 error indicates an authentication failure when connecting to an Oracle database. This typically occurs due to an incorrect username, password, or connection string configuration during logon attempts.

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Error Message

ORA-01017: invalid username/password; logon denied

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Known Causes

4 known causes

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Incorrect Credentials

The username or password entered does not match the credentials stored in the Oracle database.

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Case Sensitivity

Oracle usernames and passwords are case-sensitive. Ensure the correct case is used.

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Expired Password

The user's password may have expired, requiring a password reset.

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Incorrect Connection String

The connection string may have incorrect host, port, or service name, leading to authentication failure.

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Solutions

4 solutions available

1. Verify Username and Password easy

Double-check login credentials

1

Test connection with SQL*Plus

sqlplus username/password@database

2

Check for case sensitivity (12c+)

-- Oracle 12c+ has case-sensitive passwords by default
-- If password is 'MyPass123', you must enter exactly that

-- Check password case sensitivity setting
SELECT value
FROM v$parameter
WHERE name = 'sec_case_sensitive_logon';

2. Reset Password easy

Change the user's password if forgotten

1

Reset password as DBA

ALTER USER username IDENTIFIED BY new_password;

2

Unlock if account is locked

ALTER USER username ACCOUNT UNLOCK;

3. Check Special Characters in Password easy

Escape special characters properly

1

Quote password with special characters

-- Command line: wrap password in quotes
sqlplus username/"P@ss!word"@database

-- Or use /nolog and CONNECT
sqlplus /nolog
SQL> CONNECT username/"P@ss!word"@database

2

In connection strings, URL-encode special characters

# @ becomes %40
# ! becomes %21
# $ becomes %24
jdbc:oracle:thin:user/P%40ss%21word@host:1521:SID

4. Check User Status medium

Verify account is not locked or expired

1

Check user account status

SELECT username, account_status, lock_date, expiry_date
FROM dba_users
WHERE username = 'YOUR_USER';

2

Unlock and reset if needed

ALTER USER your_user IDENTIFIED BY new_password ACCOUNT UNLOCK;

Oracle ORA-01017: Invalid Credentials