How to Solve the “Password is Forbidden” phpMyAdmin Login Error?

phpMyAdmin is commonly known as web server-based tool intended for MySQL and MariaDB databases administration. It offers a user-friendly panel for data engineering tasks like tables, databases, and data maintenance. Nevertheless this situation might seem to be the case when willing to make a sign-in to the phpMyAdmin interface. This is an error you may find frustrating and with time you will probably be unable to access your databases and control them due to the error.

Thus, in this knowledgebase, we analyze the reasons for "Password is Forbidden" error and the methodical solutions to fix the issue.

Understanding the "Password is Forbidden" Error

Such types of errors as "Password is Forbidden" most frequently happen when phpMyAdmin configs (config.inc.php) disallow some passwords or password authentication categories. The lockdown is done as the security measure that is used when the use of weak or simply guessable passwords is determined with the significant risk the security of your databases face.

Causes of the "Password is Forbidden" Error

The list of possible reasons for "Password is Forbidden" error in phpMyAdmin includes some of the below mentioned factors:

1. Password Policy in phpMyAdmin Configuration: By configuration default phpMyAdmin has a parameter that disallows creation of certain types of passwords viz. short passwords, passwords including own name, or easily guessed passwords.

2. Server Configuration: For example, if the server setup has a limitation on the type of password, or if the user has reached the number of failed attempts to enter the password, conflict can arise, and "Password is Forbidden" error will occur.

3. MySQL/MariaDB Password Authentication: The problem can also be occured due a discrepancy between the MySQL/MariaDB server using an authentication method which is not in line with the phpMyAdmin options.

Solving the "Password is Forbidden" Error

Let's look at couple different approaches that you can go for to sort out the "Password is Prohibited" error in phpMyAdmin. We take the core ones, and we'll be talking about how to use them correctly.

Solution 1: Modify the phpMyAdmin Configuration

Among the easiest will be altering the phpMyAdmin nfiguration file ( config.inc.php) to authorize the use of your custom password.

1. Go the directory where PHPMyAdmin is located on the server.

2. Head to the config.inc.php file and create a full-back up to ensure alleviating files from any fatalities.

3. Go ahead and open the config.inc.php file with your text editor of choice.

4. Find the sentence below:
   
   

$cfg['BlowfishSecret'] = ''; /* YOU SHOULD CHANGE THIS FOR A PERMANENT INSTALLATION */

$cfg['Servers'][$i]['AllowNoPassword'] = false;

5. In the $cfg['BlowfishSecret'] statement, edit the string so that there will be a completely unique key or string. In the quotation, the key means for encrypting the passwords in phpMyAdmin.For example:
   
   

$cfg['BlowfishSecret'] = 'YourUniqueSecretKey';

6. Configure $cfg['Servers'][$i]['AllowNoPassword'] to true for enabling blank/empty passwords.

7. Save and close the file and changes made.

8. Restart the HTTP server or PHP modules to have the effects of the changes be applied.
   
   

After the modification suggested, you should sign in to phpMyAdmin using the password you have selected and it should no longer show the "the password is forbidden" message.

Solution 2: Update the MySQL/MariaDB Password Authentication Method

If changing the phpMyAdmin configuration doesn't help, it might be necessary to make PHP/MariaDB password authentication method up to date, because there are changing demands for phpMyAdmin purpose.

1. To connect to your MySQL/MariaDB database server via the command line or with a MySQL client tool, use this command.

2. Execute this SQL queries to retrieve the certificate validation method.
   
   

SELECT User, Host, plugin FROM mysql.user;

3. If the plugin showing in the row Auth_socket for your user, it follows that you need to edit it as mysql_native_password. To execute the next query, see the following SQL script using your_username and your_hostname instead of your actual:
   
   

UPDATE mysql.user SET plugin = 'mysql_native_password' WHERE User = 'your_username' AND Host = 'your_hostname';

4. Privileged account is decouple from the persistent storage to help the ornament of the changes:
   
   

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

5. Exit the MySQL/Maria DB CLI or the client utility.
   
   

Try logging back in by entering the username and password again. As a last step you must update the authentication method. The problem that to "Password is Forbidden" should be avoided.

Solution 3: Check Server Configuration

Provided that the issue persists, your server configurations may had enforced a certain set of password policies and restrictions. Here, you'll have to check your server configuration files (e.g. Apache, Nginx configuration files) and do all the necessaries adjustments to allow given password(s).

In line with your case, this solution’s particular steps may potentially look different based on the hardware configuration and integration of your server setup. You might have to observe your configuration, found the server documentation or ask from your hosting provider or system administrator.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

If the console given above won't resolve your "System Memory is Forbidden" error as well as previous described steps, try this additional troubleshooting approaches.:

1. Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try logging in to phpMyAdmin which should work for you.

2. Turning off the browser extensions or addins which might be the reason of the phpMyAdmin problem.

3. Check error logs for error messages that will help in pinpointing the fault, if you did not get any information from phpMyAdmin error logs.

4. Make sure your MySQL/MariaDB server processes and are running on server where phpMyAdmin is going to be hosted.

5. If you're actually using a shared hosting environment, then its better to contact the hosting provider for assistance as they can help you with specific configurations, besides restrictions that may be in place.
   
   

Thus, if you implement these solutions and fix these issues given, you should be able to overcome the "Password is Forbidden" error in phpMyAdmin and resume access to your databases.

Please don't forget to use proper password security methods, even when dealing with service configurations. You should make use of the long and unique passwords, two-factor authentication if you can, and regularly update your passwords. This is will ensure the safety of your database and systems as well.