What the Error Looks Like?

If you recently upgraded to MySQL 8.4, you may have run into the dreaded:

“ERROR 2059 (HY000): Authentication plugin 'mysql_native_password' is not loaded”

That suggests you have to choose between switching to the more modern approach or manually activating the old one. This blog guides you step-by-step through why the mistake happens, how to fix it, and what MySQL actually advises.

Why This Error Happens in MySQL 8.4 ?

MySQL has tightened security starting with 8.0 and particularly in 8.4 LTS.

The plugin mysql_native_password is usually disabled. In many settings, it is no longer loaded at all.

Therefore, if you want to make a user like this:

CREATE USER 'user'@'%' FOUND AS mysql_native_password BY 'password';

The plugin being unavailable will help you to find the mistake.

How to fix mysql_native_password is not loaded in MySQL 8.4+

1: Use the New Default Authentication (Recommended)

MySQL recommends using:

✔ caching_sha2_password (default and secure)

So instead of forcing mysql_native_password, create the user like this:

CREATE USER 'user'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY 'password'; GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON . TO 'user'@'%'; FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Or explicitly:

CREATE USER 'user'@'%' IDENTIFIED WITH caching_sha2_password BY 'password';

2: Enable mysql_native_password Plugin (Not Recommended but Possible)

If your application or CMS is old (WordPress plugins, old PHP apps, old Python/mysql libs), you may need the legacy plugin.

Step 1: Load the plugin manually

Run:

INSTALL PLUGIN mysql_native_password SONAME 'authentication_legacy.so';

Step 2: Verify plugin is loaded

SELECT PLUGIN_NAME, PLUGIN_STATUS FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.PLUGINS WHERE PLUGIN_NAME='mysql_native_password';

If it shows ACTIVE, you’re good.

Step 3: Now create the user

CREATE USER 'user'@'%' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'password';

3. User Accounts Still Using Deprecated Plugin

Cause:

Old accounts are set with mysql_native_password.

Fix:

Log in to MySQL:

Run:

mysql -u root -p

ALTER USER ''@'<HOST>' IDENTIFIED WITH caching_sha2_password BY '';

## The mysql_native_password not loaded error happens because MySQL 8.4 has fully moved toward more secure authentication methods.