ERROR 1045 (28000): Access denied for user 'root'@'localhost' (using password: YES)<\/code><\/pre>\nAnnoying, right? Don\u2019t worry. You\u2019re not alone, and better yet, this article will help you fix it. Let\u2019s walk through it step by step\u2014in a fun, easy way!<\/p>\n
What\u2019s Happening Here?<\/h2>\n
This message is MySQL\u2019s way of saying \u201cNope, you’re not getting in!\u201d<\/em>. But why? Well, there are a few usual suspects:<\/p>\n\n- Wrong password<\/li>\n
- MySQL server not running<\/li>\n
- User privileges messed up<\/li>\n
- MySQL not using the correct authentication plugin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Let\u2019s crack the case and get you back inside.<\/p>\n
Step 1: Check the Obvious Stuff<\/h2>\n
Before diving deep, check these first. You\u2019ll be surprised how often they\u2019re the cause:<\/p>\n
\n- Are you using the correct password?<\/strong> Might be worth a recheck (or maybe even a reset).<\/li>\n
- Is the MySQL service running?<\/strong> Try this command:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
sudo systemctl status mysql<\/code><\/pre>\nIf it\u2019s not active, start it with:<\/p>\n
sudo systemctl start mysql<\/code><\/pre>\nStill getting the error? Let\u2019s dig deeper.<\/p>\n
Step 2: Try Logging In Without a Password (For Testing)<\/h2>\n
If you’re on your development machine where security is less of a concern, test this:<\/p>\n
sudo mysql -u root<\/code><\/pre>\nThis uses sudo to skip password stuff entirely. If this works, the issue is related to password authentication or user rights.<\/p>\n
If not, fear not. We have more tricks up our sleeves.<\/p>\n
Step 3: Resetting the Root Password (Safely!)<\/h2>\n
This is where the real fun begins. \ud83d\ude04<\/p>\n
You\u2019re going to start MySQL in safe mode<\/strong>\u2014basically, MySQL with super chill rules.<\/p>\nReady? Let\u2019s go:<\/p>\n
\n- Stop MySQL service:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
sudo systemctl stop mysql<\/code><\/pre>\n\n- Start MySQL in safe mode without password restriction:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
sudo mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables &<\/code><\/pre>\n\n- Log in to MySQL:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
mysql -u root<\/code><\/pre>\nYou should be inside now. No password checks here. Sweet!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/unitconversion.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/a-computer-motherboard-is-displayed-with-light-linux-terminal-reinstall-drivers-ubuntu-command-line-nvidia-driver-setup-1.jpg\")
\n
Reset the Password<\/h3>\n
Now run these commands to set a new password:<\/p>\n
\nUSE mysql;\nALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'YourNewPassword';\nFLUSH PRIVILEGES;\n<\/code><\/pre>\nReplace YourNewPassword<\/em> with something secure (and easy to remember!).<\/p>\nThen exit MySQL:<\/p>\n
exit<\/code><\/pre>\nAnd restart MySQL normally:<\/p>\n
sudo systemctl restart mysql<\/code><\/pre>\nNow try logging in again:<\/p>\n
mysql -u root -p<\/code><\/pre>\nIt’ll ask for the password. Enter the new one you just set. Fingers crossed!<\/p>\n
Step 4: Still Locked Out? Check the Authentication Plugin<\/h2>\n
MySQL 5.7 and above sometimes uses a plugin called auth_socket<\/strong>. It\u2019s useful\u2026 but confusing.<\/p>\nTo see which plugin your root account is using, log into MySQL and run:<\/p>\n
\nSELECT user, host, plugin FROM mysql.user;\n<\/code><\/pre>\nIf you see auth_socket<\/strong>, here\u2019s what that means: MySQL only lets root in if you’re coming from the local system using the system’s root user, not just knowing the password.<\/p>\nYou can change it back to password-based login like this:<\/p>\n
\nALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'YourNewPassword';\nFLUSH PRIVILEGES;\n<\/code><\/pre>\nNow your root can log in using just a password. Much simpler!<\/p>\n
Step 5: Creating a New Admin User (Optional But Handy)<\/h2>\n
If things keep breaking, you might want a backup plan\u2014a second admin user.<\/p>\n
Once in MySQL, do this:<\/p>\n
\nCREATE USER 'newadmin'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'StrongPassword';\nGRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* TO 'newadmin'@'localhost' WITH GRANT OPTION;\nFLUSH PRIVILEGES;\n<\/code><\/pre>\nNow you\u2019ve got another way in if root gets cranky again. \ud83d\ude0e<\/p>\n
Step 6: Fixing Broken MySQL Installs<\/h2>\n
Sometimes the problem isn’t with you\u2014it’s with a messed-up MySQL install.<\/p>\n
If nothing works, a clean reinstall might be best:<\/p>\n
\nsudo apt remove --purge mysql-server mysql-client mysql-common\nsudo apt autoremove\nsudo apt autoclean\nsudo rm -rf \/etc\/mysql \/var\/lib\/mysql\nsudo apt install mysql-server\n<\/code><\/pre>\nWarning: This deletes all your MySQL data<\/strong>. Don’t do it unless you’re sure.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/unitconversion.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/a-computer-motherboard-is-displayed-with-light-linux-terminal-reinstall-drivers-ubuntu-command-line-nvidia-driver-setup.jpg\")
\nUseful Tips and Gotchas<\/h2>\n