Error 1131 occurs when an anonymous MySQL session attempts to change a password, an operation reserved for authenticated accounts.
MySQL error 1131 (ER_PASSWORD_ANONYMOUS_USER) appears when you issue SET PASSWORD or ALTER USER while logged in anonymously. Connect with a named account that holds the ALTER USER privilege or create one, then rerun the statement to clear the error.
You are using MySQL as an anonymous user and anonymous
Error 1131 fires with the message “You are using MySQL as an anonymous user and anonymous users are not allowed to change passwords.” It is returned with SQLSTATE 42000.
The server blocks password-related statements for anonymous connections to protect system security.
Any attempt to run SET PASSWORD, ALTER USER, CREATE USER WITH IDENTIFIED BY, or GRANT IDENTIFIED BY fails until you log in with a real account.
The session is authenticated under an anonymous host-based account such as ''@'localhost'. MySQL automatically maps unknown users to that account when a matching user record is missing.
Password-changing commands require the ALTER USER privilege, which an anonymous account never possesses.
Issuing such commands therefore raises error 1131.
First, exit the current anonymous session. Reconnect with a named user that exists in mysql.user and has ALTER USER or global privileges. Root or another DBA account is ideal.
If no account exists, start the server with --skip-grant-tables, create a new user with appropriate privileges, flush privileges, then reconnect normally and change passwords.
Fresh installations often expose anonymous accounts.
Deleting those accounts removes the login path that triggers the error. On shared hosts, web apps sometimes connect without credentials; updating the connection string to include a user resolves the problem.
During container builds, automated scripts may run ALTER USER before the CREATE USER step completes, momentarily authenticating anonymously. Reordering the statements fixes the issue.
Remove anonymous accounts immediately after installation using DROP USER ''@'localhost'. Always supply explicit credentials in application connection pools.
Grant only minimal privileges needed.
Galaxy’s SQL editor highlights the current MySQL user and provides inline linting. The tool warns when password commands are executed under anonymous sessions, helping you catch the mistake before the server rejects it.
Error 1045 (28000) Access denied for user 'user'@'host' – occurs when authentication fails entirely. Provide the correct password or update authentication_plugin.
Error 1396 Operation ALTER USER failed – happens when the target user does not exist.
Create the user first or check for typos.
.
Yes. After installation, run DROP USER ''@'localhost' and DROP USER ''@'%' to remove all anonymous accounts, then FLUSH PRIVILEGES.
Some package managers add them for quick local testing. They are meant to be removed before production use.
Yes. Both SET PASSWORD and ALTER USER need ALTER USER, which anonymous users lack.
Galaxy displays the active MySQL user in the status bar and warns when password commands run under an anonymous session, preventing 1131 before execution.
.avif)
.avif){kind=logo}
