How to fix the "mysql: command not found" error

This guide needs root access, so it fits VPS and dedicated server customers.

What does the error mean?

You use SSH to type commands on a server. SSH is a safe way to control a remote computer. When you type mysql and see "command not found", one of two things is true.

• MySQL is not installed.
• MySQL is installed, but the system does not know where it is. The system looks for programs in folders listed in a setting called PATH. Think of PATH as a list of places to search.

Step 1: Check if it is installed

1. Log in to your server with SSH.
2. Type:

   which mysql

   This shows where the mysql program is. Nothing printed means it was not found.
3. Try a search:

   find / -name mysql -type f 2>/dev/null

   This searches the whole server for a file called mysql. It may take a moment.

Step 2a: It exists but is not in PATH

Say the search found /usr/local/mysql/bin/mysql. You can add its folder to PATH.

1. Run:

   export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/mysql/bin

   This adds the folder for your current session only.
2. To keep it, add that same line to the end of the file ~/.bashrc.
3. Run source ~/.bashrc to load it.
4. Type mysql --version to test.

Step 2b: It is not installed

Install the MySQL client. The command depends on your system.

On Ubuntu or Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install mysql-client

On CentOS, AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux:

sudo yum install mysql

Your server may use MariaDB, a close cousin of MySQL. In that case, install mariadb or mariadb-server instead. Its command is still called mysql.

Warning: Do not install a server package over an existing database server without a backup. You could break your sites.

Check it worked

Type mysql --version. If a version number appears, it works.

Still stuck? Open a support ticket.

Quick recap

• The error means MySQL is missing or not in PATH.
• Use which mysql to check.
• Add the folder to PATH, or install the client.
• Test with mysql --version.