Did you do the /usr/bin/mysql_secure_install Sounds like that is the issue, run mysql_secure_install It will setup MySQL securely with a simple set of questions and answers.. Yes is the right answer for most of the questions. Here is a link to LAMP Stack for Centos, the MySQL section is just below the Apache install section.. https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-install-linux-apache-mysql-php-lamp-stack-on-centos-6 Also good for CentOS 7 john