MySQL: How to reset or change the MySQL root password?

Question

How can I able to change the MySQL root password and username in ubuntu server? Is it must to stop the MySQL service before setting up any of the changes?

I do have the phpmyadmin setup as well, does phpmyadmin get updated automatically?

Answer 1

1. Stop the MySQL Server: sudo /etc/init.d/mysql stop

2. Start the mysqld configuration: sudo mysqld --skip-grant-tables &

   In some circumstances, you need to be creating the /var/run/mysqld first:

   sudo mkdir -v /var/run/mysqld && sudo chown mysql /var/run/mysqld
   

3. Run: sudo service mysql start
4. Then log in to the MySQL as root: mysql -u root mysql

5. Replace YOURNEWPASSWORD with your new password:

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

Note: on some versions, if password column doesn't exist, you may want to try:

UPDATE user SET authentication_string=password('YOURNEWPASSWORD') WHERE user='root';

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