For those who work with SQL databases, MySQL Workbench is a widely used graphical user interface that helps manage the MySQL server. With the MySQL Workbench, you can view schemas, tables, columns, and execute SQL queries. In addition, it’s easy to access and edit databases with the MySQL Workbench, especially when working on a team compared to the command line. Apart from that, the MySQL Workbench stores and encrypts all of your passwords so that nobody can access your data. However, users and database administrators often forget their MySQL root password.
Given this context, this article will cover the best methods to check the root password in MySQL Workbench and recover it. Never be locked out of your MySQL server again!
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Checking MySQL Workbench Root Password
MySQL Workbench stores your MySQL password encrypted in a separate file, so there’s no way to view it directly. By default, MySQL Workbench encrypts two passwords and stores them in a ‘server’ file which is only on the computer where the software is installed. If you forget your MySQL Workbench root password, recovering it can be challenging.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before following the methods below, ensure that you have:
1. Installed MySQL Workbench on your computer
2. The MySQL root user credentials (username and password)
3. Administrative rights on the computer where you installed MySQL Workbench.
Method 1: Checking MySQL Root Password through MySQL Workbench
MySQL Workbench is an easy-to-use tool, and it provides a broad range of features and services that can help you check or recover your MySQL Workbench root password. Here are the steps:
1. Open MySQL Workbench, click on the box with the + sign “New Connection” in the MySQL Connections pane.
2. In the “Set up a New Connection Dialogue,” select the “System Profile” tab.
3. There will be a section named “Stored Connection Credentials." Press it.
4. It will prompt you to enter the passphrase, which is the password you created earlier to secure the password repository. Enter the passphrase and press OK.
5. After the password repository is unlocked, you will be able to access your stored passwords.
6. Find the ‘MySQL Connections’ section in the left pane menu and select your saved connection.
7. Once you have selected the saved connection, you will be prompted to enter the password. You can now check your MySQL Workbench root password by entering the password that you created.
Pros:
- Easy to access if you have stored connections.
- Checking your root password through MySQL Workbench interfaces is quick and straightforward.
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- If you don’t have a stored connection, then you can’t use this method to check your MySQL Workbench root password.
- Requires you to have access to the MySQL server.
Method 2: Check MySQL Workbench Root Password through Configuration File
If you have root access to MySQL, then you can try to find the MySQL Workbench root password in the configuration file. You can follow the below steps to check MySQL Workbench root password:
1. Navigate to the MySQL Workbench folder in your installed directory. The default location of the configuration files should be: “C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Workbench X.X\” for Windows users and “/Library/Application Support/MySQL/Workbench/” for macOS users. X.X refers to the version of MySQL Workbench.
2. Open the file named "server.xml."
3. Search for the string, "
Pros:
- This method requires no additional tool or installation.
- Quick and straightforward method if you have root access to MySQL.
- This method checks MySQL Workbench root password directly from the server configuration file.
Cons:
- This process may not work if your MySQL Workbench login credentials do not match your server login credentials.
- You should not modify the MySQL configuration file unless you know what you are doing.
Method 3: Using Command Line
In case you have a system with basic command-line skills, you can recover your MySQL Workbench root password using the command line. Follow these below steps to check your MySQL Workbench root password:
1. Open the command prompt on your system.
2. Type the following command – "mysql -uroot -p" and press Enter.
3. It will prompt you to enter your MySQL root password.
4. Enter your MySQL root password, and you can check your MySQL Workbench root password.
Pros:
- This method requires no additional tool or installation.
- You can recover your MySQL Workbench root password quickly using this method.
- Additionally, it works on Windows, Linux, and macOS machines.
Cons:
- You need shell access or remote access to the MySQL server.
- Requires basic knowledge of command-line interface.
Method 4: Reset MySQL Workbench Root Password
If none of the above methods work, you can use this method to reset the MySQL Workbench root password. Here are the steps:
1. Stop the MySQL Workbench server process
2. Open the MySQL configuration file. It’s usually named "my.cnf" in “/etc/” or "my.ini" in "C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server X.X\" for Windows.
3. Add "skip-grant-tables" under the “[mysqld]” section and save the file.
4. Restart the MySQL Workbench server process.
5. Connect to MySQL Workbench without entering a password.
6. Change the root password using the following command
mysql> UPDATE mysql.user SET Password=PASSWORD(‘NewPassword’) WHERE User=’root’;
7. Flush the privilege table using the following command –
mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
8. Remove "skip-grant-tables" and uncomment any existing password in my.cnf or my.ini.
9. Restart the MySQL Workbench server process.
Pros:
- This method resets the entire MySQL Workbench server password, so it is safe even if you cannot find your original password.
- Works with any MySQL Workbench version.
- Doesn’t require cracking the password or any third-party tools.
Cons:
- You have to recreate user accounts, set up permissions for databases, and restrict remote users from accessing your MySQL Workbench.
- If you didn’t configure the MySQL Workbench settings correctly after setting up the new password, your databases may not work correctly.
Why Can’t I Check MySQL Workbench Root Passwords?
1. Wrong Password: The most common issue is incorrect password entry. Ensure that you enter the correct password in the MySQL Workbench login window.
2. Forgotten Password: If you can’t recall your MySQL Workbench root password, it could be that you have lost it. In this case, you can try any of the four methods above to recover it.
3. Incompatible Credentials: If the credentials you are using don’t match with your server, you may not be able to check your MySQL Workbench root password.
Additional Tips
1. Set a root password whenever you install MySQL Workbench.
2. Never share your password with anyone. Keep your password secure and unique.
3. You can store a password hint while creating a password.
5 FAQs
Q1. How to change the MySQL Workbench root password?
A1. You can change the MySQL Workbench root password through MySQL Workbench, MySQL shell, or by editing the configuration file. For details, refer to the fourth method mentioned in this article.
Q2. Is it safe to store MySQL Workbench root passwords in plain text?
A2. No, it is not safe to store MySQL Workbench root passwords in plain text. The passwords should be encrypted and stored safely using MySQL Workbench.
Q3. What if I can’t access the MySQL Workbench configuration files?
A3. In case you cannot access the MySQL Workbench configuration files, use the MySQL Workbench method to check or change the MySQL Workbench root password.
Q4. How do I keep my MySQL Workbench password secure?
A4. You can keep your MySQL Workbench password secure by creating a unique and strong password, using password hints, and not sharing your password with anyone.
Q5. What is a root password?
A5. A root password is a password for roots or superuser accounts in any operating system or database management system.
Conclusion
Forgetting the MySQL Workbench root password can lead to potential data loss and other inconveniences. With the four methods mentioned in this article, you can recover your MySQL Workbench root password and re-access all your stored data. Out of all the methods mentioned, changing the root password through MySQL Workbench is the easiest and quickest way. However, if you can’t access the MySQL Workbench settings, try the command-line interface or the configuration file. Lastly, if nothing else works, you can reset the password through the MySQL configuration file. We hope this article helps you recover your lost MySQL Workbench root password with ease!