Reset MySQL/MariaDB Root Password: Step-by-Step Guide

MySQL / MariaDB · 19.04.2026

Method 1: --skip-grant-tables (Universal)

sudo systemctl stop mysql
sudo mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables --skip-networking &
mysql -u root

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'NewPassword123!';
EXIT;

sudo killall mysqld_safe mysqld
sudo systemctl start mysql

Method 2: init-file (Recommended for MySQL 8.0)

echo "ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'NewPassword123!';" > /tmp/reset.sql
sudo systemctl stop mysql
sudo mysqld --init-file=/tmp/reset.sql --user=mysql &
sleep 5 && sudo killall mysqld
rm /tmp/reset.sql
sudo systemctl start mysql

On Ubuntu, MySQL may use unix_socket auth — try sudo mysql first. If it works, change password with ALTER USER.

After resetting root password: update database credentials in all app config files (.env, wp-config.php) or your site will break.