How to Fix MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000) in Linux?

Introduction

MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000) is an error that occurs in MySQL when a user attempts to create or alter a MySQL user account with an invalid password. The error message typically reads: "Your password does not satisfy the current policy requirements". This error message is displayed when the password entered does not meet the minimum complexity requirements set by the MySQL server.

Why does it occur?

The main reason why MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000) occurs is because the user attempted to create or modify a new account with a weak password. In order to prevent unauthorized access, MySQL has strict security policies that require passwords to meet certain criteria such as length, character complexity and composition.

When these requirements are not met, any attempt to create or modify a user account with an undesired password will generate this error. Other causes of this error include modifying the validation plugin for passwords, changing authentication modes and configuring SSL connections.

Understanding MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000)

MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000) is a common error encountered by Linux users when trying to set or change the password for a MySQL user account. The error message typically reads: "Your password does not satisfy the current policy requirements." This error occurs due to changes made to MySQL's default password policy, which was updated to enforce strict user password policies. This occurs when upgrading from previous versions of MySQL, where no such policies were enforced.

Explain the root cause of the error

The underlying cause of this error is due to a strict password validation plugin that was introduced in later versions of MySQL. This plugin aims to ensure that user passwords are strong and secure, with policies such as minimum length requirements, special character usage, uppercase/lowercase letter requirements etc. If any of these policies are violated when attempting to create or update a user account's password, then the above-mentioned error is generated. MySQL administrators who try to update their user accounts' passwords without adhering to these new rules will encounter this issue and will be unable to proceed further until they rectify it.

Discuss its symptoms and how it affects database operations

MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000) can give rise to several symptoms that can affect database operations significantly. Firstly, it prevents any changes from being made in regards to updating or changing any existing MySQL user accounts' passwords. This can be frustrating as lack of access means an inability maintain the security of databases as well as prevent unauthorized access attempts.

Another symptom is that MySQL backups may also fail if they involve users who do not comply with the new authentication rules enforced by default in newer versions of MySQL server software. This can be potentially disastrous if data has been corrupted or lost.

Fixing MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000) in Linux

Option 1: Changing MySQL configuration file

If you want to fix MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000) by changing the configuration file, then you need to follow these steps −

• Log in as root user on your Linux machine.

• Locate the my.cnf configuration file. This can be done using the command locate my.cnf. If this command does not work, try using find / -name 'my.cnf' 2>/dev/null.

find / -name 'my.cnf' 2>/dev/null

• Edit the my.cnf configuration file using a text editor such as Nano or Vim. You can use the command nano /etc/my.cnf, for example.

• Add or modify the following line under [mysqld] section −

sql_mode = NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION,STRICT_TRANS_TABLES

• Save and exit the my.cnf file.

• Restart MySQL service using command: sudo service mysql restart.

The sql_mode parameter is set to strict mode by default which causes this error. By setting it to NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION,STRICT_TRANS_TABLES will resolve it.

Option 2: Using command line interface

You can also fix MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000) by using a command-line interface. Follow these steps −

• Login into the server through an SSH connection or open a terminal window on your Linux machine with root privileges.

• Enter the MySQL shell by typing mysql -u root -p and pressing Enter. Enter your root password when prompted.

• Type the following command to turn off strict mode −

SET GLOBAL sql_mode='NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION,STRICT_TRANS_TABLES';

• The NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION keyword disables substitution of a non-existent storage engine with the default one.

• The STRICT_TRANS_TABLES keyword raises an error if a value is out of range or invalid during insertion into a transactional table.

• Restart MySQL service using command: sudo service mysql restart.

This will disable strict mode for the entire server instance and fix ERROR 1819 (HY000).

Option 3: Reinstalling MySQL server - The Last Resort

If the above options don't work or you are still experiencing issues, reinstalling MySQL server may be necessary as a last resort −

• Create a backup of all your databases before continuing with this option. This will prevent data loss if something goes wrong.

• Delete all previous installations of MySQL to avoid conflicts between versions and packages using these commands −

sudo apt-get remove --purge mysql-client mysql-server mysql-common -y 
sudo apt-get autoremove -y && sudo apt-get autoclean -y 

• Delete all directories related to MySQL like /etc/mysql/ and /var/lib/mysql/ folders using this command −

sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql /var/lib/mysql/

• Install the latest version of MySQL Server using these commands −

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y 
sudo apt-get install mysql-server-5.7 mysql-client-5.7

• Start MySQL service and verify that it works without any issues by running these commands −

sudo systemctl start mysql.service
sudo systemctl enable mysql.service
sudo systemctl status mysql.service

This option is a bit more work-intensive, but can solve the issue if all else fails.

No matter which option you choose, fixing MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000) will ensure that your database operations run smoothly and efficiently. You can now continue to use your MySQL server with all its features without any limitations.

Precautions while fixing MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000)

The Importance of Being Prepared: Backing up Data Before Making Any Changes

Before attempting to fix MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000), it is crucial to back up any important data in the database. This step ensures that any accidental deletions or changes can be undone without causing permanent damage. There are several ways to back up data, including using the mysqldump command, which creates a backup of all databases in a single file.

Alternatively, you can use third-party backup software or cloud-based storage solutions. Regardless of the method chosen, it is essential to test the backup before proceeding with any fixes.

Double-Checking Changes: Taking Extra Precaution

When fixing MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000), attention to detail is critical. It is essential to double-check all changes made during the process and ensure they are correct before restarting the server or making any further modifications.

For instance, after modifying the configuration file, you must confirm that all parameters have been correctly entered and saved before restarting MySQL. Any typos or syntax errors could lead to additional issues that prolong the downtime of your database system.

Conclusion

Fixing MySQL ERROR 1819 (HY000) requires careful planning and execution—missteps can cause lasting harm to your database system's health. Therefore it is crucially important first to identify which causes this error so that you can follow appropriate steps accordingly for resolving this issue if occurred again in future times.

However, with proper precautions such as backing up data and double-checking changes made along during execution will minimize risks involved when trying out different methods on your system.