MySQL Error 1819: ER_NOT_VALID_PASSWORD - How to Fix and Prevent

What is MySQL Error 1819 (ER_NOT_VALID_PASSWORD)?

MySQL throws error 1819 with the message "Your password does not satisfy the current policy" when a user attempts to set, change, or provision a password that fails the active validate_password component rules. The server blocks the operation to enforce security standards.

The error can occur during CREATE USER, ALTER USER, SET PASSWORD, or while installing MySQL with an auto-generated password that violates custom policy parameters. Fixing the error is crucial to maintain compliance and enable account access.

What Causes This Error?

The validate_password component checks every new password against length, mix of character classes, dictionary words, and reuse history. When a password falls short of any configured threshold, MySQL rejects it and returns error 1819.

Policy parameters such as validate_password.policy (LOW, MEDIUM, STRONG), validate_password.length, mixed-case, numeric, and special character counts directly influence rejection. Custom plugins or corporate security tools can also override defaults and tighten the rules.

How to Fix MySQL Error 1819

Choose a password that meets or exceeds the current requirements: sufficient length, upper and lower case letters, digits, and special characters. Alternatively, lower the policy temporarily if you have administrative privileges.

Administrators can adjust validate_password variables in a session or globally, then retry the password change. Modifying configuration files or SET PERSIST statements makes the change permanent across restarts.

Common Scenarios and Solutions

During initial installation, MySQL may generate a password that later violates tightened policies. Regenerate or reset the password with a compliant value.

In scripted provisioning, hard-coded passwords often break after policy upgrades. Parameterize scripts to pull environment-specific secure passwords or query current policy values before execution.

Best Practices to Avoid This Error

Enable validate_password and communicate its rules to all developers. Use password managers or vaults to generate compliant passwords automatically. Enforce strong defaults at deployment time and monitor error logs for repeated ER_NOT_VALID_PASSWORD events.

Galaxy's SQL editor surfaces MySQL server variables inline, helping engineers verify policy settings before running CREATE USER statements, preventing policy violations proactively.

Related Errors and Solutions

Error 1820 (ER_PLUGIN_IS_PERMANENT) appears when trying to remove mandatory security plugins. Unlike 1819, it concerns plugin management rather than password content.

Error 1396 (HY000 - Operation CREATE USER failed) can wrap error 1819 in multi-statement scripts; fix the underlying password strength issue to clear both errors.