How to Set Password in Redis for Secure Access

To set a password in Redis, add requirepass yourpassword in the Redis configuration file (redis.conf) or use the command CONFIG SET requirepass yourpassword. After setting the password, clients must authenticate using AUTH yourpassword before executing commands.

Syntax

The password in Redis is set using the requirepass directive in the configuration file or dynamically with the CONFIG SET command.

• requirepass <password>: Sets the password in redis.conf.
• CONFIG SET requirepass <password>: Sets the password at runtime.
• AUTH <password>: Used by clients to authenticate after password is set.

plaintext

requirepass yourpassword

Example

This example shows how to set a password in Redis using the configuration file and how a client authenticates with the password.

bash

# Step 1: Add password in redis.conf
requirepass mysecretpassword

# Step 2: Restart Redis server to apply changes

# Step 3: Connect with redis-cli and authenticate
redis-cli
> AUTH mysecretpassword
OK
> PING
PONG

Output

OK
PONG

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when setting a password in Redis include:

• Not restarting Redis after changing redis.conf, so the password is not applied.
• Forgetting to authenticate with AUTH before running commands, causing errors.
• Setting an empty or weak password, which does not secure Redis.
• Using CONFIG SET requirepass without persisting it, so password resets after restart.

redis

Wrong way:
redis-cli
> PING
(error) NOAUTH Authentication required.

Right way:
redis-cli
> AUTH mysecretpassword
OK
> PING
PONG

Output

(error) NOAUTH Authentication required.
OK
PONG

Quick Reference

Command	Description
requirepass	Set password in redis.conf file
CONFIG SET requirepass	Set password at runtime (not persistent)
AUTH	Authenticate client with password
PING	Test connection after authentication

Key Takeaways

Set the password using requirepass in redis.conf or CONFIG SET requirepass at runtime.

Clients must authenticate with AUTH before running commands after password is set.

Restart Redis after changing redis.conf for the password to take effect.

CONFIG SET requirepass is temporary and resets after Redis restarts.

Always use a strong password to secure your Redis server.