Mysql gives error of access denied for root@localhost?

Solution

Make sure root pass is in /root/.my.cnf

This is usually the first root pass the box was given once cpanel is installed.

If it still does not work, you will need to reset the mysqld root pass.

First, stop the mysqld, usually /etc/rc.d/init.d/mysql stop

Then stop chkservd to keep it from interfering with mysqld while you work on it
with /etc/rc.d/init.d/chkservd stop

Start up mysqld , but, without the grant tables,

mysqld --skip-grant-tables -u mysql &

Then change the pass..

mysql -u root mysql
UPDATE user SET Password=PASSWORD('new_password') WHERE user='root';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Now you just killall -9 mysqld and start it up normally with it’s safe_mysqld
script..