How to Fix the "Unknown Database" Error When Connecting to MySQL?

The error ERROR 1049 (42000): Unknown database 'default' occurs when MySQL cannot locate the database specified in your connection command. This typically happens if:

• You are connecting to the wrong Vultr Managed Database cluster.
• The database name in your connection string does not match any database that exists in the selected cluster.

To resolve the Unknown database error:

• Use the correct hostname and port from the Connection Details section on your database's Overview page.

• Verify the database exists:

  1. Connect to the MySQL client without specifying a database:

     console Copy

     $ mysql --host="<hostname>" --port=<port> --user="<username>" -p
     

     Explain Code

  2. List all available databases:

     sql Copy

     mysql> SHOW DATABASES;
     

     Explain Code

  3. If your target database is missing, create it:

     sql Copy

     mysql> CREATE DATABASE <database_name>;
     

     Explain Code
  Note

  MySQL database names are case-sensitive on Unix-based systems, including Vultr’s default Linux environments. Ensure the name matches exactly.