Title: How to Reset the MySQL Root Password on a CentOS VPS Server  
PrimaryCategory: Servers  
Type: Procedural  
Tags: MySQL, root_password, reset, CentOS, VPS, SSH, systemctl  
Source UI Terms: systemctl, mysql, mysql.user, authentication_string, PASSWORD, UPDATE, FLUSH PRIVILEGES, ALTER USER  
Source Reference: How to Reset the MySQL Root Password on a CentOS VPS Server  

---

Prerequisites:  
- Access to the CentOS VPS server via SSH as the root user  

Steps:  
1) Stop MySQL by running:  
   `systemctl stop mysqld`  
2) Set the MySQL environment option to skip grant tables:  
   `systemctl set-environment MYSQLD_OPTS=&quot;--skip-grant-tables&quot;`  
3) Start MySQL with the new environment option:  
   `systemctl start mysqld`  
4) Log in to MySQL as root without a password:  
   `mysql -u root`  
5) Update the root user password:  
   - For MySQL versions prior to 5.7.6, execute:  
     ```sql
     UPDATE mysql.user SET authentication_string = PASSWORD(&#39;MyNewPassword&#39;) WHERE User = &#39;root&#39; AND Host = &#39;localhost&#39;;
     FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
     quit
     ```  
   - For MySQL 5.7.6 and later, use this command to avoid warnings:  
     ```sql
     ALTER USER &#39;root&#39;@&#39;localhost&#39; IDENTIFIED BY &#39;MyNewPass&#39;;
     ```  
6) Stop MySQL again:  
   `systemctl stop mysqld`  
7) Unset the MySQL environment option so MySQL starts normally next time:  
   `systemctl unset-environment MYSQLD_OPTS`  
8) Start MySQL normally:  
   `systemctl start mysqld`  
9) Try to log in using the new root password:  
   `mysql -u root -p`  

Warnings:  
- Ensure you run these commands as the root user via SSH to avoid permission errors.  
- Using `--skip-grant-tables` disables MySQL authentication temporarily; avoid keeping MySQL running in this mode longer than necessary for security.  

Summary:  
To reset the MySQL root password on a CentOS VPS server, stop MySQL, start it with skipped grant tables, update the password via the MySQL CLI, then restart MySQL normally and verify the new password works.  

Evaluation Pairs:  
Q: How do I start MySQL so I can reset the root password without a current password?  
A: Stop MySQL, set the environment option MYSQLD_OPTS=&quot;--skip-grant-tables&quot;, then start MySQL so it runs without access control.  

Q: What is the correct command to update the root password in MySQL 5.7.6 and later?  
A: Use the command `ALTER USER &#39;root&#39;@&#39;localhost&#39; IDENTIFIED BY &#39;MyNewPass&#39;;` to update the password properly.  

Q: After resetting the password, what should I do to ensure MySQL runs securely?  
A: Stop MySQL, unset the MYSQLD_OPTS environment setting, and start MySQL normally to restore authentication controls.

<div>When you need to change or recover the MySQL root password on your CentOS VPS server. This article explains how to reset the MySQL root password.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>To reset the MySQL root password, the below steps need to be performed via SSH as the root user.<br><br><b>Step 1</b>. Stop mysql:<br>systemctl stop mysqld<br><br><b>Step 2. </b>Set the mySQL environment option<br>systemctl set-environment MYSQLD_OPTS=&quot;--skip-grant-tables&quot;<br><br><b>Step 3. </b>Start mysql usig the options you just set<br>systemctl start mysqld<br><br><b>Step 4. </b>Login as root<br>mysql -u root<br><br><b>Step 5.</b> Update the root user password with these mysql commands</div>
<div class="ckeditor_codeblock">mysql&gt; UPDATE mysql.user SET authentication_string = PASSWORD(&#39;MyNewPassword&#39;)<br>-&gt; WHERE User = &#39;root&#39; AND Host = &#39;localhost&#39;;<br>mysql&gt; FLUSH PRIVILEGES;<br>mysql&gt; quit</div>
<div><br>for MySQL 5.7.6 and later, you should use the below command or you&#39;ll get a warning</div>
<div class="ckeditor_codeblock">mysql&gt; ALTER USER &#39;root&#39;@&#39;localhost&#39; IDENTIFIED BY &#39;MyNewPass&#39;;</div>
<div><br><b>Step 6</b>. Stop mysql<br>systemctl stop mysqld<br><br><b>Step 7.</b> Unset the mySQL envitroment option so it starts normally next time<br>systemctl unset-environment MYSQLD_OPTS<br><br><b>Step 8</b>. Start mysql normally:<br>systemctl start mysqld<br><br><b>Step 9: </b>Try to login using your new password:<br>mysql -u root -p<br><br>In case of any queries, please feel free to contact our support team which is available 24x7.</div>

When you need to change or recover the MySQL root password on your CentOS VPS server. This article explains how to reset the MySQL root password.