Can't log in as root user in CPanel or SSH!

[Thoko]

I am able to log into WHM as root without any problems but as soon as I try to log into CPanel or SSH I have problems. I have literally not once been able to access root via those means. I had to whitelist my IP address after Brute Force protection locked me out. My SSH keys don't work, telling me that my password is wrong, so I tried creating keys without passwords. Sometimes I am asked for a password, other times I get the message permission denied (public key).
I'm just desperate to access the file directory structure of my VPS server beyond the typical user access in CPanel so that I can do a manual edit of my PHP.ini but every method is failing me and I'm getting frustrated.

 

[Infopro]

The docs should be helpful:
Log into a User's Account with the Root Password - cPanel Documentation

 

[Thoko]

Ok, thanks for that. That is useful. However I thought that logging in as root in cpanel would give me access to the location of php.ini, but I still have the same file manager access as root user

 

[Infopro]

WHM » Service Configuration » PHP Configuration Editor

You might also like to know about CSE:
ConfigServer Explorer - cPanel AppCat

 

[Thoko]

That looks great but I can't install it since I still can't connect via SSH. I found the PHP option I was looking to add (CurlSSL) in the EasyApache config, so I'm rebuilding but the output has been stuck on Begin opt CurlSSL for some time now. I'm wondering if the process has failed. I'm getting tempted to just reinstall everything on my server.

 

[Infopro]

Patience is a virtue. Especially when it comes to Server Administration.

Reinstalling everything, doesn't teach you anything.

 

[Thoko]

You're right. Its just been a really long day for me.

- - - Updated - - -

Incidentally I've just figured out how to log in via SSH. Thanks for your help. I'll install the ConfigServer thing tomorrow

 

[Infopro]

You're certainly welcome. Good luck!