Locked out of MySQL with ERROR 1045 (28000): Access denied for user 'root'@'localhost'?

When root credentials are lost or desynchronized, you cannot change the password while the daemon enforces standard privileges. You must restart the database daemon in a bypass mode, update the authentication tables, and restart the service normally.

Here are two reliable methods to recover access.

Method 1: Using --skip-grant-tables

This method starts the daemon without reading the grant tables, allowing local root login without a password.

  1. Stop the running MySQL/MariaDB service:

    sudo service mysqld stop
# On systemd systems:
# sudo systemctl stop mysqld

  2. Start MySQL safely without grant tables:

    sudo mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables &

  3. Log into MySQL without credentials:

    mysql -u root

  4. Update the root user password:

    USE mysql;
UPDATE user SET password = PASSWORD("YOUR_NEW_PASSWORD") WHERE User = 'root';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
QUIT;

    (Note: On modern MySQL 5.7+ / 8.0+, use ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'YOUR_NEW_PASSWORD'; or update authentication_string).

  5. Stop the temporary daemon and restart normally:

    sudo killall mysqld
sudo service mysqld start

Method 2: Using an --init-file

If you prefer an automated single-pass reset without interactive shells:

  1. Create an initialization SQL script (e.g., /tmp/reset_pwd.txt):

    UPDATE mysql.user SET Password = PASSWORD('YOUR_NEW_PASSWORD') WHERE User = 'root';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

  2. Stop the database service:

    sudo service mysqld stop

  3. Execute the init file with mysqld_safe:

    sudo mysqld_safe --init-file=/tmp/reset_pwd.txt &

  4. Stop the instance and restart cleanly:

    sudo killall mysqld
rm -f /tmp/reset_pwd.txt
sudo service mysqld start