Logging into MySQL Workbench as root for the first time (Jun 2025)

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The error in the screenshot means that MySQL Workbench (or a similar GUI tool) is unable to connect to your MySQL server using the root user at localhost:3306.

🔧 Cause:

The key issue is:

pgsql
Access denied for user 'root'@'localhost'

This means the root password is incorrect, or the root user is not allowed to log in via TCP/IP.

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✅ Fix Steps

1. Make sure MySQL server is running

Run this in terminal:

bash
sudo systemctl status mysql

If it's not running, start it with:

bash
sudo systemctl start mysql

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2. Try logging in from terminal

bash
sudo mysql -u root

If this logs you in without a password, then root is configured with auth_socket plugin.

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3. Switch root to use password-based login (optional)

If you want to log in via Workbench, you'll need to allow password authentication:

sql
ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'yourpassword';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Then, test:

bash
mysql -u root -p

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4. Use correct credentials in MySQL Workbench

• Host: 127.0.0.1

• Port: 3306

• Username: root

• Password: the one you set above

✅ Avoid using localhost — use 127.0.0.1 to force TCP/IP.

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Let me know if you want to create a new MySQL user instead of changing root.

mysql> ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'pass';
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.01 sec)

mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.01 sec)

mysql> exit
Bye
(base) jain@jain-ThinkPad-T440s:~/Downloads$ mysql -u root -p
Enter password: 
ERROR 2002 (HY000): Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/tmp/mysql.sock' (2)

You're now getting:

vbnet
ERROR 2002 (HY000): Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/tmp/mysql.sock' (2)

This error means MySQL server is not running, or the socket file is not available at /tmp/mysql.sock, which is where your client expects it.

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✅ Step-by-Step Fix

1. Start MySQL Server

Run:

bash
sudo systemctl start mysql

If it gives:

System has not been booted with systemd as init system

You're likely on a system like MX Linux, which uses SysVinit or runit instead of systemd.

So try:

bash
sudo service mysql start

Then test:

bash
sudo service mysql status

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2. Verify Socket Location (Optional)

Check where the MySQL socket is configured:

bash
mysqladmin variables | grep socket

Or:

bash
sudo cat /etc/mysql/my.cnf | grep socket

You might see:

perl
socket = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock

If so, connect using:

bash
mysql -u root -p --socket=/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock

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3. Reinstall or Repair MySQL (if needed)

If the server refuses to start, try reinstalling:

bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --reinstall mysql-server

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Let me know what you get when running:

bash
sudo service mysql start

Or share the output of:

bash
ps aux | grep mysqld

Tags: Technology,Database,