Error
Error Code:
3707
MySQL Error 3707: Server Restart Failure
Description
Error 3707 indicates that the MySQL server attempted to restart but was unsuccessful. This critical error prevents the database service from becoming available, often occurring after system updates, configuration modifications, or manual restart attempts.
Error Message
Restart server failed (%s).
Known Causes
4 known causesInvalid Configuration Settings
Incorrect or malformed parameters in the MySQL configuration file (e.g., my.cnf, my.ini) can prevent the server from starting.
Insufficient System Resources
Lack of available memory, disk space, or exceeding OS limits for open files can hinder the server's ability to initialize properly.
File System Permissions
The MySQL user may lack the necessary read or write permissions for critical data directories, log files, or socket files.
Conflicting Port Usage
Another application or an orphaned MySQL process might be occupying the default MySQL port (3306), preventing the new instance from binding.
Solutions
4 solutions available1. Check MySQL Service Status and Logs easy
Verify the MySQL service is running and examine error logs for specific causes.
1
Check the status of the MySQL service.
sudo systemctl status mysql
2
If the service is not running, attempt to start it.
sudo systemctl start mysql
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If starting fails, examine the MySQL error log for detailed messages. The log file location can vary, but common locations are `/var/log/mysql/error.log` or `/var/log/mysqld.log`.
sudo tail -n 50 /var/log/mysql/error.log
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Look for specific error messages in the log that indicate the cause of the restart failure (e.g., permission issues, configuration errors, disk space problems).
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2. Review MySQL Configuration File medium
Inspect the MySQL configuration file (`my.cnf` or `my.ini`) for syntax errors or invalid settings.
1
Locate your MySQL configuration file. Common locations include `/etc/mysql/my.cnf`, `/etc/my.cnf`, or `/etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf`.
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2
Open the configuration file in a text editor.
sudo nano /etc/mysql/my.cnf
3
Carefully review the file for any syntax errors, typos, or incorrect parameter values. Pay close attention to recently added or modified lines.
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4
If you suspect a recent change caused the issue, try commenting out the suspect lines by adding a '#' at the beginning of the line.
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5
Save the changes and attempt to restart MySQL.
sudo systemctl restart mysql
3. Check File Permissions and Ownership medium
Ensure the MySQL user has the necessary permissions to access its data directory and log files.
1
Identify the MySQL data directory. This is usually specified by the `datadir` variable in your `my.cnf` file. A common default is `/var/lib/mysql`.
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2
Identify the MySQL user and group. This is typically `mysql`.
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3
Verify the ownership and permissions of the data directory and its contents.
sudo chown -R mysql:mysql /var/lib/mysql
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Ensure that the MySQL user has read and write permissions to the data directory and log files.
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/lib/mysql
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Check permissions for log files, e.g., `/var/log/mysql/error.log`.
sudo chown mysql:mysql /var/log/mysql/error.log
6
Attempt to restart MySQL after correcting permissions.
sudo systemctl restart mysql
4. Reinitialize MySQL Data Directory (Last Resort) advanced
If all else fails, reinitialize the MySQL data directory, which will create a new, empty database structure.
1
**WARNING:** This will erase all existing data in your MySQL databases. Ensure you have a recent backup before proceeding.
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2
Stop the MySQL service.
sudo systemctl stop mysql
3
Backup your existing data directory.
sudo mv /var/lib/mysql /var/lib/mysql_backup_$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S)
4
Reinitialize the MySQL data directory. The command may vary slightly depending on your MySQL version and installation method.
sudo mysqld --initialize --user=mysql --datadir=/var/lib/mysql
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Ensure correct ownership and permissions for the new data directory.
sudo chown -R mysql:mysql /var/lib/mysql
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Start the MySQL service.
sudo systemctl start mysql
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You will need to re-import your data from the backup and reconfigure users and privileges.
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