Can’t log into phpMyAdmin: mysqli_real_connect(): (HY000/1698): Access denied for user ‘root’@’localhost’

Introduction

If you’re seeing mysqli_real_connect(): (HY000/1698): Access denied for user 'root'@'localhost' when trying to log into phpMyAdmin, it usually means there’s a configuration or authentication issue with MySQL or MariaDB. This error may occur for any of the following reasons:

• Due to security changes in MySQL 5.7 / MySQL 8+ (or MariaDB 10.4+), you can no longer log into phpMyAdmin using the root account.
  See section: MySQL 5.7 / MySQL 8+

• You’ve forgotten your MySQL root password.
  See article: How To Reset the MySQL Root Password

• The host value for root is preventing phpMyAdmin access.
  See article: Understanding MySQL Users and Hosts

• You’re trying to log in under a different account and seeing “Access denied for user (using password: YES)”.
  See article: MySQL Rejecting Correct Password

• If you’re on MySQL 5.6 or below.
  See section: MySQL 5.6 and below

MySQL 5.7 / MySQL 8+ (and MariaDB 10.4+)

In MySQL 5.7, MySQL 8, and MariaDB 10.4+, the root user often authenticates via auth_socket, socket, or caching_sha2_password instead of mysql_native_password. This blocks external programs like phpMyAdmin from logging in as root unless you change it. You can either create a new superuser (recommended) or switch the root plugin to mysql_native_password.

Choose one of the following methods:

• Method 1: Create a New Superuser for phpMyAdmin
• Method 2: Change root Authentication Method

Method 1: Create a New Superuser for phpMyAdmin

1. Open a terminal and log into MySQL as root:

sudo mysql -p -u root

Enter the password for your MySQL root account if prompted. If you’ve forgotten it, see How to Reset the MySQL Root Password.

2. Create a new MySQL user named pmauser (or any username you prefer) and set a password of your choice:

CREATE USER 'pmauser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'password_here';

3. Grant all privileges on every database, along with the WITH GRANT OPTION to allow creating other users or granting privileges:

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* TO 'pmauser'@'localhost' WITH GRANT OPTION;

4. You can now log in to phpMyAdmin using pmauser. If you see “Access denied for user (using password: YES)”, see MySQL Rejecting Correct Password.

If you see the error “Failed to set session cookie. Maybe you are using HTTP instead of HTTPS”, see this article.

Method 2: Change root Authentication Method

If you absolutely need to log into phpMyAdmin as root, switch the root account from auth_socket, socket, or caching_sha2_password to mysql_native_password. This ensures compatibility with phpMyAdmin (especially older PHP versions).

1. Log into MySQL via terminal:

sudo mysql

If you see “ERROR 1045 (28000): Access denied for user ‘root’@’localhost’ (using password: NO)”, add -p -u root:

sudo mysql -p -u root

2. Check which plugin root is using (and confirm host is localhost or %):

SELECT user,plugin,host FROM mysql.user WHERE user = 'root';

You may see auth_socket, socket, or caching_sha2_password. Also note the host if you want root access from specific hosts or any host (%).

3. Update the plugin to mysql_native_password and set a new password. If you see ERROR 1064, you likely have mismatched quotes (use straight single quotes ' '):

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

If ALTER USER fails for you, try manually updating the mysql.user table, then FLUSH PRIVILEGES;:

UPDATE mysql.user
  SET plugin = 'mysql_native_password',
      authentication_string = PASSWORD('enter_password_here')
  WHERE User = 'root' AND Host = 'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

You should now be able to log in to phpMyAdmin as root.

MySQL 5.6 and below

In MySQL 5.6 or older versions, you can typically log in to phpMyAdmin as root without extra steps. If it still doesn’t work, it might be because:

• You’ve forgotten your root password.
  Reset the MySQL Root Password

• The host value for root is blocking phpMyAdmin access.
  Understanding MySQL Users and Hosts

• You’re trying to use a non-root account with insufficient privileges.
  MySQL Rejecting Correct Password

You can still create a new superuser the same way as in MySQL 5.7/8+ if you prefer.

Visitor Comments & Additional Tips

A few extra hints based on user feedback:

• ERROR 1064 (42000): Usually caused by curly or mismatched quotes. Double-check you’re using straight single quotes ' '.
• WITH GRANT OPTION: If you want the user to create other users or grant privileges, add WITH GRANT OPTION in GRANT.
• Alternative Queries: If ALTER USER is not recognized or fails, try UPDATE mysql.user ... and then FLUSH PRIVILEGES.

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