The client cannot load the server-requested authentication plugin, so the connection fails.
MySQL Error 2059 (CR_AUTH_PLUGIN_CANNOT_LOAD) arises when the client cannot locate or initialize the authentication plugin demanded by the server, often due to missing libraries or a client-server version mismatch. Install the required plugin or switch the user to a supported auth method to solve the problem.
Authentication plugin '%s' cannot be loaded: %s
MySQL Error 2059 happens when the client library cannot load the authentication plugin named by the server during connection. The handshake stops and the session never opens.
The failure typically points to a missing shared library, an outdated client, or misconfigured plugin paths.
Resolving the mismatch restores normal authentication.
Server requests an auth plugin, such as caching_sha2_password, that is not compiled into the client build.
Plugin shared object exists on disk but the client cannot read it because of incorrect plugin_dir, file permissions, or SELinux rules.
Operating system lacks required dependencies for the plugin shared object, so dynamic loading fails.
Custom authentication plugins were removed or renamed during an upgrade, leaving orphaned user definitions.
Upgrade the MySQL client or connector to a version that includes the requested plugin.
Install the missing shared library in the plugin directory defined by plugin_dir global variable.
Recreate or alter the MySQL user to use mysql_native_password or another built-in plugin.
Verify file permissions and SELinux context so the mysqld process can read the .so file.
Connecting from an old MySQL 5.6 client to a MySQL 8.0 server that defaults to caching_sha2_password—upgrade the client or ALTER USER ...
IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password.
Linux package removed libmysqlplugin.so during cleanup—reinstall the mysql-community-plugins package.
Docker container mounts /usr/lib/mysql/plugin read-only—remount with read permissions or copy the plugin inside the image.
Keep client libraries and server versions aligned through your package manager or container base image.
Avoid custom plugins unless necessary; prefer built-in mysql_native_password or caching_sha2_password.
Monitor connection logs and set up CI checks with Galaxy to catch authentication errors instantly in development.
CR_UNKNOWN_HOST indicates DNS resolution problems, not plugin loading—check host entry.
ER_ACCESS_DENIED_ERROR signals bad credentials—verify username and password rather than plugins.
CR_SSL_CONNECTION_ERROR means SSL negotiation failed—ensure certificates and TLS versions match.
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No. MySQL requires at least one authentication plugin. You can, however, force users to mysql_native_password to avoid external libraries.
Only if the build includes the missing plugin. For most users, installing an official package is simpler and safer.
Galaxy highlights authentication failures in its results pane and links to recommended fixes, so engineers notice and correct plugin issues before code reaches production.
Yes. It offers stronger security than mysql_native_password, but ensure all clients support it to avoid Error 2059.
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