Fix: SQL server connection failure: SQLstate 08001

SQL is one of the most popular database software still in use despite modern systems like MongoDB existing. The ease of use and widespread compatibility still make SQL popular. However, as easy to use as it is, SQL can still run into bugs and errors occasionally that might leave you scratching your head. 

In this article, we’re talking about the SQL server connection failure: SQLstate 08001 error, its causes and what you can do to fix the problem.

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What causes the SQL server connection failure: SQLstate 08001 error?

The error can be triggered by four main causes:

• Provided server name isn’t correct.
• SQL server isn’t configured to connect to a network. 
• Incorrect user credentials. 
• Firewall blocking SQL’s connectivity. 

Also read: What is the difference between SQL and MySQL?

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How to fix the SQL server connection failure: SQLstate 08001 error?

Here are six fixes you can try out. 

Restart your router

Power cycling your network equipment is the fix to more issues than you can think. More often than not, connectivity issues can be caused by an underlying bug in your router and can be fixed by rebooting.

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Disable any firewalls

If you’re using third-party firewalls, now’s the time to disable them to see if they’re blocking SQL. The same goes for any third-party antiviruses. If your Windows firewall is blocking SQL, refer to this guide to see how to unblock the program.

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Change the database name

Changing the database server name to match the server name often fixes the problem. Alternatively, you can also enable Named Pipes values in the Client Protocols section in the SQL Server Configuration Manager. 

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Disable IPv6

Having IPv6 enabled can sometimes cause problems with connectivity. Here’s what you need to do. 

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Windows settings and click on Network & Internet.

Step 2: Click on Change adaptor options.

Step 3: Right-click on your active network (WiFi or LAN) and click Properties.

Step 4: Find and uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 in the list.

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Setting the root user to use the native MySQL password

Resetting the MySQL root password will give you access to the database again with root permissions so you can also fix other problematic accounts. 

Step 1: Type the following command to launch MySQL as root in the terminal.

sudo mysql -u root

Step 2: Once the MySQL console opens up, type the following commands one after the other pressing enter after each command. 

USE mysql;
UPDATE user SET plugin='mysql_native_password' WHERE user='root';
FLUSH PRIVIILEGES;
exit:

Step 3: Now restart the MySQL service using this command.

sudo service mysql restart

Try accessing your database again it should work just fine. 

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Creating a new database user

In the commands below, replace your_user with your username.

Step 1: Type the following command in the terminal to launch MySQL as root.

sudo mysql -u root

Step 2: Once the MySQL console opens up, type the following commands one after the other pressing enter after each command. 

CREATE USER 'your_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password_here';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* TO 'your_user'@'localhost';
UPDATE user SET plugin='auth_socket' WHERE User='your_user';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
exit;

Step 3: Now restart the MySQL service using this command.

sudo service mysql restart

Try accessing your database again it should work just fine. 

Also read: How to fix MySQL error 1045?