Unable to access MySQL/MariaDB databases on Plesk for Windows: Access denied for user 'admin'@'localhost' (using password: YES)

Symptoms

• Unable to create a database dump in Plesk > Domains > example.com > Databases > Export Dump:

  mysqldump: Got error: 1045: Access denied for user 'admin'@'localhost' (using password: YES) when trying to connect

• Attempts to manage MySQL/MariaDB databases or remove mailbox produces errors:

  Error: Connection to the database server has failed because of network problems: Try to establish connection failed

  ---

  Error: Connection to the database server has failed because the supplied account does not possess administrative privileges: Access denied for user 'admin'@'localhost' (using password: YES)

• The MySQL/MariaDB server is marked red on the Tools & Settings > Database Servers screen.

Cause

Plesk stores an incorrect MySQL/MariaDB server administrator password.

Resolution

Reconnect Plesk to the MySQL/MariaDB server:

1. Connect to the server using RDP

2. Edit the MySQL/MariaDB configuration file %plesk_dir%Databases\MySQL\my.ini and add the line skip-grant-tables to the [mysqld] section and save it using text editor:

   [mysqld]
   skip-grant-tables

3. Restart the MySQL/MariaDB server (but not "Plesk SQL Server"), running on port 3306 using the Plesk Services Monitor, which can be started from the Windows Start menu.

   Note: Plesk Services Monitor could also be started using the next cmd.exe command:

   C:\> "%plesk_dir%\admin\bin\traymonitor.exe"

   

4. Log into MySQL/MariaDB without the password:

   "%plesk_dir%\MySQL\bin\mysql.exe" -P3306

5. Reload the grant-tables policies by running the next command:

   FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

6. Update/recreate the user by specifying a new password using the next command:

   C:\> grant all privileges on *.* to 'admin'@'localhost' identified by 'new_password' with grant option;

   Note: Make sure to replace 'new_password' with a new password of choice:

7. Tell the database server to reload the grant tables by issuing the FLUSH PRIVILEGES command;

   FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

8. Remove the skip-grant-tables from the MySQL/MariaDB configuration file(%plesk_dir%Databases\MySQL\my.ini) and restart the service again as in Step 3.

9. Log in to the Plesk interface, go to the database server management settings ( Tools & Settings > Database Servers ) and open the server's settings:
   

10. On the opened page click the "Settings" button and specify new the password that was set in Step 6: