the 12 - word phrase dilemma
See

https://support.exodus.io/article/37-how-do-i-get-started-with-exodus


Backup your wallet to keep it safe
Once you have had a look around the Exodus wallet and you like it, it is time to go through the backup. During the backup process you will receive your (randomly generated) secret phrase of your wallet. This is a secret phrase that functions as a master key to all of your assets, if you would like to know more about your secret phrase then please check out this article: 12-word secret “recovery phrase”

If the password to the wallet doesn't work and you haven't transferred money to the wallet then you can probably just start again.