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How to Reset MySQL Password

If you have forgotten your MySQL root password, follow these steps to reset it:

Step #1: Stop MySQL Service

First, stop the MySQL service with the following command:

/etc/init.d/mysql stop

Output:

Stopping MySQL database server: mysqld.

Step #2: Start MySQL Without Password

Start MySQL without loading the grant tables (which hold user privileges). This allows you to reset the password without needing the old one:

mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables &

Output:

[1] 5988
Starting mysqld daemon with databases from /var/lib/mysql
mysqld_safe[6025]: started

Step #3: Connect to MySQL Server Using the MySQL Client

Now, connect to the MySQL server as the root user:

mysql -u root

Output:

Welcome to the MySQL monitor.  Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MySQL connection id is 1 to server version: 4.1.15-Debian_1-log
Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the buffer.
mysql>

Step #4: Set a New MySQL Root Password

Switch to the mysql database and update the root password:

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

Step #5: Stop MySQL Server

Stop the MySQL service again:

/etc/init.d/mysql stop

Output:

Stopping MySQL database server: mysqld
STOPPING server from pid file /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.pid
mysqld_safe[6186]: ended
[1]+  Done                    mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables

Step #6: Start MySQL Server and Test the New Password

Finally, start MySQL and test the new root password:

/etc/init.d/mysql start

Then, connect to MySQL with your new root password:

mysql -u root -p