How to Reset the MySQL or MariaDB Root Password

If you lose the password for the MySQL/MariaDB root user, you can reset it by restarting MySQL/MariaDB in Safe Mode, which does not require a password.

First, shut down the database with the command:

  • Ubuntu/Debian: MySQLsudo service mysql stop
  • Ubuntu/Debian: MariaDBsudo service mariadb stop
  • CentOS/Red Hat: MySQLsudo systemctl stop mysql
  • CentOS/Red Hat: MariaDBsudo systemctl stop mariadb
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Start MySQL/MariaDB in Safe Mode with the command:

mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables &

You can now log in to MySQL/MariaDB as root without having to enter a password:

mysql -u root mysql

Reset the MySQL/MariaDB password with the following command. Change my-new-password to a secure password.

UPDATE user SET password=PASSWORD("my-new-password") WHERE user='root';

Reload the privilege tables:

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Exit the MySQL/MariaDB client:

quit;

Shut down MySQL/MariaDB:

mysqladmin -u root -p shutdown

You will need to enter the password for root which you set in the previous step.

Finally, restart the database in normal mode:

  • Ubuntu/Debian: MySQLsudo service mysql start
  • Ubuntu/Debian: MariaDBsudo service mariadb start
  • CentOS/Red Hat: MySQLsudo systemctl start mysql
  • CentOS/Red Hat: MariaDBsudo systemctl start mariadb
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