Why Ubuntu Keeps Asking for Keyring Password and How to Resolve It

What Is the Linux Keyring and Why Use It?

The Linux keyring (often implemented by gnome-keyring) groups passwords, SSH keys, GPG keys, and application credentials into a single encrypted store, typically locked with the user’s login password.

Each user has an individual keyring; when you log in with a password, the keyring unlocks automatically, but with automatic login the keyring remains locked.

Keyring as a Security Feature

Automatic login removes the password prompt for system login, leaving the keyring locked. Applications like Chromium/Chrome that rely on the keyring will repeatedly ask you to unlock it, ensuring only someone who knows the keyring password can access stored website credentials.

Managing the Keyring with GUI Tools

Desktop environments provide graphical utilities (e.g., “Passwords and Keys”/Seahorse) to view and manage keyrings. These tools let you create new keyrings, store passwords, and change passwords.

Changing the Keyring Password

Open the Passwords and Keys application.

Right‑click the Login keyring and select Change Password .

Enter the old password, then set the new password (usually matching the new login password).

This synchronizes the keyring password with the new login password, allowing automatic unlocking after login.

Disabling the Keyring Password

If you prefer to keep automatic login without unlocking prompts, you can disable the keyring password:

Open Passwords and Keys .

Right‑click the keyring and choose Change Password .

When prompted for a new password, leave the fields empty and click Continue . This removes the password, leaving the keyring permanently unlocked.

Key Takeaways

Most Linux distributions install and enable the keyring by default.

Each user has a separate keyring, usually locked with the account password.

Logging in with a password automatically unlocks the keyring.

Automatic login leaves the keyring locked, causing applications that use it to request unlocking.

Not all applications rely on the keyring.

A GUI tool (Passwords and Keys/Seahorse) allows you to manage, change, or disable the keyring password.

You can manually store passwords in an encrypted keyring, export it, and import it on other machines.