Ubuntu change the root password of MySQL

Set / change / reset the MySQL root password on Ubuntu Linux. Enter the following lines in your terminal.

1. Stop the MySQL Server.
   

   sudo /etc/init.d/mysql stop



2. Start the mysqld configuration.
   

   sudo mysqld --skip-grant-tables &



3. Login to MySQL as root.
   

   mysql -u root mysql



4. Replace YOURNEWPASSWORD with your new password!
   

   UPDATE user SET Password=PASSWORD('YOURNEWPASSWORD') WHERE User='root'; FLUSH PRIVILEGES; exit;

Note: This method is not regarded as the securest way of resetting the password. However it works.

original link: http://ubuntu.flowconsult.at/en/mysql-set-change-reset-root-password/