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How to Fix the SSL "unknown error number" Error When Connecting to MySQL?

Updated on 15 September, 2025

A guide to resolving SSL connection errors when connecting to Vultr Managed MySQL 8 servers that require TLSv1.2 or TLSv1.3 protocols.

Vultr’s Managed MySQL 8 servers are configured to accept only TLSv1.2 or TLSv1.3 connections. If your MySQL client does not support these protocols, you may encounter the following error:

ERROR 2026 (HY000): SSL connection error: unknown error number

This often occurs when your MySQL client is outdated and cannot connect using the TLS protocols required by the server. To resolve this error:

  1. Verify the supported TLS versions on the database server:

    sql 
    mysql> SHOW GLOBAL VARIABLES LIKE 'tls_version';

  2. Upgrade your MySQL client to a version that supports TLSv1.2 or TLSv1.3.

  3. When connecting with the MySQL client, specify custom connection options if needed, such as --ssl-mode=REQUIRED (to enforce SSL/TLS) or other flags documented in MySQL Client Command Options.

For more information on the TLS protocols and cipher suites supported by MySQL 8, refer to the MySQL Encrypted Connection TLS Protocols and Ciphers documentation.