Recover MySQL root Password

You can recover MySQL database server password with following five easy steps.

Step #1: Stop the MySQL server process

$> sudo /etc/init.d/mysql stop

Step #2: Start the MySQL (mysqld) server/daemon process with the --skip-grant-tables option so that it will not prompt for password.

$> sudo mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables &

Step #3: Connect to mysql server as the root user.

$> mysql -u root

Step #4: Setup new mysql root account password i.e. reset mysql password.

mysql> use mysql;
mysql> update user set password=PASSWORD("NEW-ROOT-PASSWORD") where User='root';
mysql> flush privileges;
mysql> quit

Step #5: Exit and restart the MySQL server.

$> sudo /etc/init.d/mysql stop
$> sudo /etc/init.d/mysql start
$> mysql -u root -p

You have just changed the password for the root user of mysql database.

Cover photo by Carson Arias