====== Plugin 'unix_socket' is not loaded ====== The "unix_socket" has been called by mysql authentication process (maybe related to a partial migration of database to mariadb, now removed). To get all stuff back working go su: then follow: /etc/init.d/mysql stop mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables & mysql -uroot This will completely stop mysql, bypass user authentication (no password needed) and connect to mysql with user "root". Now, in mysql console, go using mysql administrative db: use mysql; To reset root password to mynewpassword (change it at your wish), just to be sure of it: update user set password=PASSWORD("mynewpassword") where User='root'; And this one will overwrite authentication method, remove the unix_socket request (and everything else), restoring a normal and working password method: update user set plugin="mysql_native_password"; Exit mysql console: quit; Stop and start everything related to mysql: /etc/init.d/mysql stop kill -9 $(pgrep mysql) /etc/init.d/mysql start That's it.