If you see FAILED TO CONNECT TO MYSQL – BAD HANDSHAKE in MySQL Workbench, your database is likely unsupported.  MySQL Workbench only supports MySQL databases version 5.1 and newer.

Fortunately there is an easy way around this.  Use the old MYSQL ADMINISTRATOR tool as shown below.  In my case I was trying to open a MySQL 5.1 database for a clients WordPress installation with MySQL Workbench 8 and that did not work out :).

You can download MySQL Administrator (aka. MySQL GUI TOOLS) directly from the good people at MySQL HERE.

mysql-workbench-failed-to-connect-to-mysql-bad-handshake


7 Comments

Phil · June 4, 2020 at 5:13 am

If I had known your solution, i’ld not have lost 4 hours !
Reinstalled MySql Workbench 6.3 and all is fine.
Thank you for solution :o)

Pedro Henrique · January 30, 2020 at 10:33 am

Marcelo, Workbench 6.3 worked for me too, thanks man.

Marcelo · June 17, 2019 at 9:17 pm

Ahn, BTW I forgot to mention that previous editions of Workbench function with MySQL 5.1… I installed the 6.3 version, downlaoded @ https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/workbench/

Marcelo · June 17, 2019 at 9:04 pm

Thank you; wish I had see your post 4 hours before…

burf · April 3, 2019 at 12:16 am

hi, what was the solution?

Romi Ardiansya · April 2, 2019 at 5:42 pm

Thankyou…

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