How to reset MySQL 5.7 root password on Linux

I was having problem with MySQL root password after a fresh installation on CentOS 6. I cannot login to mysql as i didn’t know what was the default password for root. The installation didn’t prompt me to enter the password for root user.

So if you have a problem like me, or you have forgotten your root password, here’s how to reset it.

1. Shutdown the MySQL
service mysqld stop

2. Start mysql in safe mode
mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables

Keep this process running, and don’t close this terminal

3. Open new terminal

4. Login to MySQL as root, and without password
mysql -u root

5. Change to database mysql
use mysql;

6. Now update the password for root user
update user set authentication_string=PASSWORD('YOUR-NEW-PASSWORD-HERE'), password_expired = 'N' where user='root';

notes: In MySQL 5.7, the `password` field was removed, now the field name is `authentication_string`.

7. Don’t forget to flush it
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

8. Exit
exit;

9. Back to terminal 1, and stop the process (or close it). Then start the MySQL
service mysqld start

10. Now you can login to MySQL with your new password
mysql -u root -pYOUR-NEW-PASSWORD-HERE

Hope it helps.