MySQL aborts during startup because it cannot read, write, or locate the my.cnf defaults file, returning error 48 EE_FAILED_TO_HANDLE_DEFAULTS_FILE.
MySQL Error 48: EE_FAILED_TO_HANDLE_DEFAULTS_FILE appears when the server or client cannot open or parse the my.cnf defaults file. Check that the file exists, is readable by the MySQL service account, and contains valid syntax to clear the error.
Fatal error in defaults handling. Program aborted! EE_FAILED_TO_HANDLE_DEFAULTS_FILE was added in 8.0.13.
The message “Fatal error in defaults handling. Program aborted! EE_FAILED_TO_HANDLE_DEFAULTS_FILE” means MySQL failed while processing the server or client defaults file (my.cnf or my.ini). Instead of continuing with possibly unsafe defaults, the program stops and returns error code 48.
Error 48 was introduced in MySQL 8.0.13 to make startup failures explicit.
It can be raised by the mysqld server, mysql client, or any utility that uses the common option-handling library.
The error surfaces at the earliest stage of option parsing. MySQL looks for my.cnf in preset directories, merges sections, and validates values. If it cannot open the file, write temporary changes, or parse its contents, it stops immediately and emits error 48.
Because the failure happens before networking is initialized, no error log entry may appear.
The only hint is the console output or the system service log.
A server that aborts on startup prevents every downstream application from connecting. In client tools, the error blocks interactive sessions and automation scripts. Prompt remediation restores database availability and avoids cascading outages.
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The my.cnf file was deleted, renamed, or never created. MySQL cannot find any defaults to read and exits with error 48.
The user running mysqld or mysql lacks read access to the file or to one of the parent directories. SELinux or AppArmor rules can also block access and trigger the fault.
my.cnf is owned by root while mysqld runs as mysql.
Strict startup scripts refuse to read a file owned by another user for security reasons, producing EE_FAILED_TO_HANDLE_DEFAULTS_FILE.
A stray character, unclosed quote, or duplicated option confuses the parser. MySQL terminates rather than assume defaults, raising error 48.
In container or cloud environments, the filesystem holding my.cnf may be mounted read-only. MySQL utilities that attempt to update defaults fail and abort.
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No. The file might exist but be unreadable or contain invalid syntax. Check permissions and run my_print_defaults to confirm.
Using --no-defaults disables all configuration files and is risky. Only use it temporarily to regain access and repair my.cnf.
The EE_FAILED_TO_HANDLE_DEFAULTS_FILE code was added in 8.0.13. Earlier versions silently ignored many defaults issues. The upgrade surfaced hidden problems.
Galaxy’s connection wizard validates the my.cnf path and permissions before launching the SQL editor, alerting you early and preventing runtime failures.
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