Laravel uses wrong MySQL user despite .env configuration (SQLSTATE[HY000] [1698])

Laravel uses wrong MySQL user despite .env configuration (SQLSTATE[HY000] [1698])

When using Laravel with MySQL, you might encounter an issue where Laravel uses the wrong MySQL user despite the correct configuration in the .env file. This issue can lead to errors such as SQLSTATE[HY000] [1698], which indicates a general error during database connection.

To troubleshoot this issue, follow these steps:

1. Check the Laravel configuration file

The first step is to check the Laravel configuration file to ensure that the correct database credentials are set. Open the .env file in your project root directory and verify that the DB_USERNAME and DB_PASSWORD variables are set to the correct values for your MySQL database user.

2. Check the Laravel log files

Laravel logs can provide valuable information about the database connection process. Check the Laravel log files for any error messages related to the database connection. You can find the log files in the storage/logs directory of your Laravel project. Look for any messages that indicate the wrong database user being used or any authentication errors.

3. Check the MySQL configuration file

It's also possible that the MySQL configuration file is misconfigured, causing Laravel to use the wrong user. Check the MySQL configuration file (my.cnf or my.ini) to ensure that the correct user and password are set for the Laravel database connection.

4. Check the MySQL grant tables

Another possibility is that the MySQL grant tables have not been updated with the correct permissions for the Laravel database user. You can check the MySQL grant tables using the MySQL command-line client or a MySQL graphical user interface (GUI) tool like phpMyAdmin. Make sure that the correct user has the necessary privileges to access the Laravel database.

5. Clear the Laravel cache

Clearing the Laravel cache can sometimes resolve issues with incorrect database configuration. Run the following command in your terminal to clear the Laravel cache:

php artisan cache:clear

6. Restart the MySQL server

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, try restarting the MySQL server. This can sometimes resolve authentication issues with the database.

7. Reinstall Laravel

If all else fails, you may need to reinstall Laravel and configure the database connection from scratch. This can help ensure that there are no lingering configuration issues that are causing the incorrect database user to be used.

In summary, when Laravel uses the wrong MySQL user despite the correct configuration in the .env file, you can troubleshoot the issue by checking the Laravel configuration file, log files, MySQL configuration file, and grant tables. Clearing the Laravel cache, restarting the MySQL server, and reinstalling Laravel are also possible solutions.