Failed to connect to mysql at 127.0.0.1:3306 with user root access denied for user 'root'@'localhost'(using password:YES)

Question

I've been trying to create a new database connection on workbench. However, every time I test a connection there is an error message that says

Failed to connect to mysql at 127.0.0.1:3306 with user root access denied for user 'root'@'localhost'(using password:YES)

I don't know what's the cause of this error. I have tried uninstalling and re-installing my workbench 6.1 and mysql server 5.6 but the error is still unsolved.

Answer 1

First check if it's a workbench or connection problem.

1) In your windows run 'cmd' to open a terminal

Try both

2a) mysql -u root -p -h 127.0.0.1 -P 3306

2b) mysql -u root -p -h > localhost -P 3306

3) If the connection is good you will get a password prompt, see if you can connect with correct password.

If your connection is denied, just grant the permission

mysql >GRANT ALL ON [DatabaseName].* TO 'root'@'127.0.0.1' IDENTIFIED BY '[PASSWORD]'; 

If your connection is accepted here, it's like a workbench configuration problem.

Answer 2

I had the same problem.
I've installed fresh mysql at Ubuntu but I left mysql password empty, and as a result I couldn't connect to mysql in any way.
Lately I've revealed that there is a table of users where are names, hosts, passwords and some plugins. So for my user root@localhost mysql while installing assigned a plugin called auth_socket, which let Unix user "root" log in as a mysql user "root" without password, but don't allow login as another Unix user. So to fix that you should turn off this plugin and set usual authentication:

1. open Linux terminal
2. enter "sudo mysql"
   you will see "mysql >" which means you've connected to mysql as a 'root' Unix user and you can type SQL queries.
3. enter SQL query to change a way how you will log in:
   ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'your_new_password';
   where 'mysql_native_password' means - to turn off auth_socket plugin.