How to Reset MySQL root Password in Linux

Q. How to reset MySQL root password in Linux? How do I recover MySQL root password? I forgot MySQL root password, steps to change MySQL root password? How to reset MySQL root password using the command line. How to reset forgotten MySQL root password on Linux? How to reset MySQL 5.7 root password?

MySQL is an open source database software widely used for data storage. Sometimes we forgot MySQL root password. So don’t be panic, This tutorial will help you to reset MySQL root password with simple steps.

Step 1 – Start MySQL in Safemode

First of all, you are required to stop running MySQL server. Use one of the following commands to stop MySQL server on your Linux system.

# service mysql stop              //For SysVinit based ystems 
# systemctl stop mysql.service    //For Systemd based Systems 

Now start MySQL server in safe mode using withe the --skip-grant-tables option. Use the following command to start MySQL in safe mode. In safe mode, MySQL does not prompt for login password.

# mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables &

Step 2 – Reset MySQL root Password

Now login to MySQL server as root user and change password using the following set of commands. This will reset MySQL root password on your system.

For MySQL 5.6 or Below

# mysql -u root

mysql> USE mysql;
mysql> UPDATE user SET password=PASSWORD("NEW-PASSWORD") WHERE User='root';
mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
mysql> quit

For MySQL 5.7 or Above

# mysql -u root

mysql> SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'localhost' = PASSWORD("NEW-PASSWORD");
mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
mysql> quit

Step 3 – Restart MySQL Server

After changing password stop the MySQL (running in safe mode) service and start it again with the commands below.

//For SysVinit based systems 
# service mysql stop 
# service mysql start

//For Systemd based systems 
# systemctl stop mysql.service
# systemctl start mysql.service

Step 4 – Verify New Password

After resetting MySQL root account password and restarting, just verify new password by login.

# mysql -u root -p

Enter password: **********
Welcome to the MySQL monitor.  Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MySQL connection id is 29
Server version: 5.5.57 MySQL Community Server (GPL)

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