How to Reset or Change MySQL Root Password on Linux?

How to Reset or Change MySQL Root Password on Linux?

May 29, 2020 / Nirav S

MySQL is a database management system operated under the Open Source software model. It has become a very popular software package for web application software. Like many web services, MySQL has an administrator-level or root password. The root password allows a user to perform all top-level functions in the database.

If you’ve never set a root password on your MySQL database, you should be able to connect to it. However, this is not a good idea as it means anyone can access your database.

If your database already has a root password, but you lost track of it, this guide will help you reset a Mysql Root password on Linux

Use the following steps to reset a MySQL root password by using the command line interface.

• Step 1: Stop the MySQL service

$ sudo /etc/init.d/mysql stop

• Step 2: Run the following command. The ampersand (&) at the end of the command is required.

$ sudo mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables &

• Step 3: Step 3 ( Optional ) In some cases, you’ve to create the /var/run/mysqld first:

$ sudo mkdir -v /var/run/mysqld && sudo chown mysql /var/run/mysqld

• Step 4: Connect to MySQL
• Run the following command:

$ mysql -uroot

• Step 5: Set a new MySQL root password
• Run the following command:
• Change the database to mysql

mysql> use mysql;

• Replace “mynewpassword”
  • mysql> update user set authentication_string=PASSWORD(“mynewpassword”) where User=’root’;

• • mysql> flush privileges;

• • mysql> exit

• Step 6: Stop and start the MySQL service
• Stop the mysql service

$ sudo /etc/init.d/mysql stop

• Start the mysql service

$ sudo /etc/init.d/mysql start

• Step 7: Log in to the database
• Test the new password by logging in to the database.

$ mysql -u root -p

• Enter your new password when prompted.