As a server administrator, if I receive a report about MySqlException (0x80004005) and it's related to an outdated MySQL connector or client, my first step is to verify, diagnose, and update the necessary components. Here's how I handle it step by step.
Identify the Installed MySQL Client and Connector Versions
First, I check which version of MySQL server and client is installed.
For Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):
mysql --version
or
dpkg -l | grep mysql
For Linux (CentOS/RHEL):
rpm -qa | grep mysql
For Windows (Command Prompt):
mysql --version
For Windows (PowerShell):
Get-Command mysql | Select-Object Version
If the MySQL version is outdated, I update the MySQL server and client.
Update MySQL Connector for .NET (C#)
For C# applications using MySql.Data, I ensure the latest version is installed:
Install-Package MySql.Data -Version 8.0.33
or update it:
Update-Package MySql.Data
If using MySQL Connector/NET from MySQL Installer, I update it via:
- MySQL Installer GUI (Windows) > Select MySQL Connector/NET > Click Upgrade.
Update MySQL Connector for Python
If the issue is in a Python application, I update MySQL Connector for Python:
pip install --upgrade mysql-connector-python
or
pip install --upgrade pymysql
Update MySQL Connector for Node.js
If a Node.js application is affected, I update the MySQL driver:
npm install mysql2@latest
If using the old mysql package, I recommend switching to mysql2, as it supports modern authentication methods.
Update MySQL Connector for PHP (MySQLi / PDO)
For PHP-based applications, I update MySQL-related packages:
Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install php-mysql
CentOS/RHEL:
sudo yum update php-mysqlnd
Ensure MySQL Server Supports the Correct Authentication Method
Sometimes, after updating the client, authentication issues arise because MySQL 8+ defaults to caching_sha2_password, while older clients expect mysql_native_password.
I check which authentication plugin is being used:
SELECT user, host, plugin FROM mysql.user WHERE user = 'myuser';
If the plugin is caching_sha2_password but the client requires mysql_native_password, I switch it:
ALTER USER 'myuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'mypassword';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
Then, I restart MySQL:
sudo systemctl restart mysql
Restart the Application and Verify the Fix
Once the update is done, I:
- Restart the application using MySQL to apply the changes.
- Test the database connection manually using:
mysql -u myuser -p -h localhost - Check application logs for any remaining issues.
Final Thoughts
As a server administrator, when I encounter MySqlException (0x80004005) due to an outdated MySQL client or connector, I:
- Check the installed MySQL client and connector versions.
- Update the MySQL connector for the affected language (C#, Python, PHP, Node.js, etc.).
- Ensure MySQL authentication is compatible with the connector.
- Restart the application and test the connection.
Following these steps ensures a smooth database connection without authentication errors!



