Restarting mysql with --skip-grant-tables option on linux

I wasn’t expecting so much trouble resetting the root password for a mysql instance.

The documentation said to use the –skip-grant-tables option and to pass that when the service is restarted.

skip-grant-tables

The problem is systemd does not allow you to pass arguments to services upon restart.

Instead of overriding the startup parameters for the mysql systemd unit, you can edit the /etc/mysql/my.cnf for the same effect.

/etc/mysql/my.cnf

[mysqld] 
skip-grant-tables

Now you should be able to log into your mysql instance without a password.

Just remember to remove that from your configuration file after reseting your password!