Can't change root password, passwd doesn't do anything

I just got a dedicated server with ubuntu 14.04 on it. I haven't received root details in my server info email, but instead for a different user. So I wanted root access and tried to change the password.

I tried:

sudo -ipasswd

and

sudo passwd root

And I entered my new root password, but when I try to login as root I still get denied access.

If anybody can help me it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.