Install MySQL on Linux via Terminal

In this guide, you’ll learn how to install and configure MySQL on a Linux system. If you already have a previous version of MySQL installed, you will need to clean it up before proceeding.

Clean Up Existing MySQL Installation Link to heading

Remove MySQL and Related Packages

sudo apt-get purge mysql-server mysql-client mysql-common mysql-server-core-* mysql-client-core-*
sudo apt-get autoremove
sudo apt-get autoclean

Set Up MySQL Directories and Permissions

sudo mkdir -p /var/lib/mysql
sudo mkdir -p /var/run/mysqld
sudo chown -R mysql:mysql /var/lib/mysql
sudo chown -R mysql:mysql /var/run/mysqld
sudo chmod 750 /var/run/mysqld

Install MySQL Link to heading

Update Package Lists and Install MySQL

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mysql-server

Initialize MySQL

sudo mysqld --initialize --user=mysql --datadir=/var/lib/mysql

Start MySQL Service
```
sudo systemctl start mysql
```
Check MySQL Status and Logs
Verify that MySQL is running:
```
sudo systemctl status mysql
```
Secure the Installation
```
sudo mysql_secure_installation
```
Log In with the Temporary Password
Use the temporary password generated during installation:
```
sudo mysql -u root -p
```

Note

The temporary password will be shown during the installation. If you missed it, you can find it in the logs:

Viewing MySQL error logs
```
sudo less /var/log/mysql/error.log
```

Look for a line that’s similar to: A temporary password is generated for root@localhost: TEMP_PASSWORD

Resetting the Root Password Link to heading

If you stll can’t find the temporary password, or if you need to reset it, follow these steps:

Stop the MySQL Service
```
sudo systemctl stop mysql
```
Start MySQL in Safe Mode
```
sudo mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables &
```
Create the MySQL Run Directory (if necessary)
If /var/run/mysqld doesn’t exist, create it:
```
sudo mkdir -p /var/run/mysqld
sudo chown mysql:mysql /var/run/mysqld
```
Log Into MySQL Without a Password
```
mysql -u root 
```

Reset the Root Password

Execute the following commands in the MySQL prompt:

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'YOUR_NEW_PASSWORD'; -- Replace YOUR_NEW_PASSWORD with your new password
EXIT;

Stop MySQL Safe Mode
```
sudo killall mysqld_safe
```
Restart MySQL
```
sudo systemctl start mysql
```
Log In with the New Password
```
mysql -u root -p
```

References Link to heading

Install MySQL on Ubuntu

Ubuntu Server