How to Fix the ‘mysql_native_password’ Plugin Not Loaded Error: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever been cruising along with your WordPress site or PHP project, only to be hit with a puzzling error that stops everything in its tracks? One of the more frustrating ones is the dreaded “mysql_native_password plugin not loaded” message. If you’ve ever faced this issue, you know the sinking feeling it brings. But don’t worry — I’m here to guide you through fixing this issue step by step in a way that’s easy to follow, even if you’re not a database expert.

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What’s the Deal with the ‘mysql_native_password’ Plugin?

Before diving into the fix, let’s break down what this plugin is and why it matters.

The mysql_native_password plugin is an authentication method for MySQL, a widely-used relational database. MySQL uses this plugin to manage how users authenticate when they connect to a MySQL server. Essentially, it’s the gatekeeper that ensures only authorized users can access the database.

When you see the “mysql_native_password plugin not loaded” error, it typically means that your MySQL server is either not configured to use this plugin or it’s just not loaded properly.

This issue can arise in various scenarios, especially when you’re connecting a website or an app to a MySQL database. It’s especially common in WordPress, Laravel, and other PHP-based platforms that rely on MySQL.

Common Causes of the ‘mysql_native_password’ Plugin Not Loaded Error

This error is often triggered by one of the following causes:

1. Outdated MySQL or MariaDB Versions: Older versions of MySQL or MariaDB may not support the mysql_native_password plugin or might not have it enabled by default.
2. Incorrect MySQL Configuration: If your MySQL configuration file (my.cnf or my.ini) is missing the necessary settings, the plugin may not load properly.
3. Corrupted MySQL Plugin Directory: If the directory containing MySQL plugins is corrupted or missing files, the plugin may fail to load.
4. Incorrect Database User Authentication Settings: The user trying to connect to the database might not have the correct authentication method set up, or the mysql_native_password plugin might not be enabled for that user.

Steps to Fix the ‘mysql_native_password’ Plugin Not Loaded Error

Now that you understand why this issue can occur, let’s go over the practical steps you can take to fix it. The process is easier than it seems, but it does require a little attention to detail. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Check Your MySQL Version

The first step in troubleshooting this issue is to check the version of MySQL or MariaDB you’re using. You can do this by logging into your MySQL server and running the following command:

mysql --version

If you’re using an older version (5.5 or earlier), consider upgrading to a more recent version of MySQL or MariaDB. The newer versions have improved support for plugins, including the mysql_native_password plugin.

If upgrading is not an option, you might need to manually install the plugin (we’ll cover that later).

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Step 2: Verify That the Plugin is Installed

If you’re using MySQL 5.6 or later, the mysql_native_password plugin should be available by default. To check if it’s installed, run the following SQL command:

SHOW PLUGINS;

This will list all the plugins currently installed on your MySQL server. Look for mysql_native_password in the list. If it’s missing, you’ll need to install or load it.

To install the plugin manually, you can use this command:

INSTALL PLUGIN mysql_native_password SONAME 'mysql_native_password.so';

If you’re using Windows, the file extension might be .dll instead of .so.

Step 3: Update the MySQL Configuration File

If the plugin is installed but still not loading, you might need to adjust your MySQL configuration file to ensure that the plugin is correctly loaded on startup.

1. Locate your MySQL configuration file (my.cnf or my.ini). It’s typically found in one of these locations:

• Linux: /etc/mysql/my.cnf or /etc/my.cnf
• Windows: C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server X.X\my.ini

1. Open the configuration file and ensure the following lines are present under the [mysqld] section:

[mysqld]
plugin-dir = /usr/lib/mysql/plugin
default-authentication-plugin = mysql_native_password

If these lines are missing, add them, save the file, and restart your MySQL server.

Step 4: Grant Permissions to Database Users

Sometimes, the issue arises because the database user doesn’t have the right authentication settings. If your MySQL server is using a different authentication method, you may need to reset the user’s authentication plugin to mysql_native_password.

To do this, you’ll need to run the following SQL query:

ALTER USER 'username'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'your_password';

Replace username with your database user’s username, and your_password with the user’s password. After executing this command, the user will authenticate using the mysql_native_password plugin.

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Step 5: Restart Your MySQL Server

After making changes to the configuration file or database users, it’s important to restart your MySQL server to apply the changes.

To restart MySQL on Linux:

sudo systemctl restart mysql

On Windows, you can restart MySQL via the Services manager or use the following command in the Command Prompt:

net stop mysql
net start mysql

Step 6: Check MySQL Logs

If the issue persists after following the above steps, it’s worth checking the MySQL error logs for any clues. These logs often contain valuable information about what went wrong. You can usually find the logs in one of these locations:

• Linux: /var/log/mysql/error.log or /var/log/mysql/mysql.log
• Windows: C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server X.X\data\mysql_error.log

Look for any error messages related to plugins or authentication and address them accordingly.

Step 7: Test the Connection

After performing the steps above, test your connection to MySQL again. If all goes well, the mysql_native_password plugin should be loaded, and you won’t encounter the error anymore.

Bonus Tip: Use the MySQL 8.0 Authentication Plugin

If you’re using MySQL 8.0 or later, the default authentication plugin has changed from mysql_native_password to caching_sha2_password. This can sometimes cause issues with older applications or clients that expect the mysql_native_password plugin. In such cases, you can set the authentication plugin back to mysql_native_password as mentioned in Step

What’s Your Experience with MySQL Authentication Issues?

If you’ve faced the mysql_native_password issue before, I’d love to hear about your experience. Did the steps above help, or did you find a different solution? Let me know in the comments below!

Bottom Line

Facing the “mysql_native_password plugin not loaded” error can feel overwhelming, but now you have the tools to troubleshoot and fix it like a pro! By following these steps, you can get your website or application back on track without much hassle.

Remember, understanding how MySQL authentication works can make it easier to diagnose and fix similar issues in the future. If you’re still having trouble or if something feels off, don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments below. Let’s keep this conversation going!

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