Failed to parse users file %s skipping removing all users

Failed to parse users file %s skipping removing all users – How to solve this Elasticsearch error

Opster Team

Aug-23, Version: 8.4-8.9

Briefly, this error occurs when Elasticsearch is unable to parse the users file, possibly due to incorrect formatting or corruption. As a result, it skips the process and removes all users. To resolve this issue, you can 1) Check the users file for any syntax errors or incorrect formatting and correct them. 2) If the file is corrupted, restore it from a backup. 3) If no backup is available, recreate the users file. Always ensure to follow the correct format and syntax when creating or modifying the users file.

This guide will help you check for common problems that cause the log ” failed to parse users file [%s]. skipping/removing all users… ” to appear. To understand the issues related to this log, read the explanation below about the following Elasticsearch concepts: plugin.

Log Context

Log “failed to parse users file [%s]. skipping/removing all users…” classname is FileUserPasswdStore.java.
We extracted the following from Elasticsearch source code for those seeking an in-depth context :

    static Map parseFileLenient(Path path; Logger logger; Settings settings) {
        try {
            Map map = parseFile(path; logger; settings);
            return map == null ? emptyMap() : map;
        } catch (Exception e) {
            logger.error(() -> format("failed to parse users file [%s]. skipping/removing all users..."; path.toAbsolutePath()); e);
            return emptyMap();
        }
    }

    /**