The MySQL error log location can be found by checking the configuration file or using a SQL command. First, check the my.cnf or my.ini file for the log_error directive; common paths include /etc/my.cnf on Linux and my.ini on Windows. Second, if not specified, use default locations such as /var/log/mysql/error.log on Debian/Ubuntu or /var/log/mysqld.log on RHEL/CentOS. Third, run SHOW VARIABLES LIKE 'log_error'; in MySQL to get the exact path. The log contains startup/shutdown times, configuration details, connection failures, InnoDB recovery, disk or permission errors, and crash traces. To monitor in real time, use tail -f on Linux or Get-Content -Wait on Windows, and ensure file permissions allow access if the log is missing. Always verify the log_error variable to confirm the correct path.
The MySQL error log is a file that records important events, warnings, and errors related to the MySQL server. It helps diagnose startup issues, crashes, configuration problems, failed queries, and other critical server behavior. It's one of the most essential tools for troubleshooting MySQL.

Where to Find the MySQL Error Log
The location of the error log depends on your operating system, MySQL version, and configuration. Here are the most common places and ways to find it:
1. Check MySQL Configuration (my.cnf
or my.ini
)
Look for the log_error
directive in the MySQL configuration file:

- On Linux/Unix:
/etc/my.cnf
,/etc/mysql/my.cnf
, or/usr/local/mysql/etc/my.cnf
- On Windows:
my.ini
(usually in the MySQL installation directory)
Example:
[mysqld] log_error = /var/log/mysql/error.log
If log_error
is not set, MySQL uses a default location.

2. Default Locations by System
- Linux (Debian/Ubuntu):
/var/log/mysql/error.log
- Linux (RHEL/CentOS/Fedora):
/var/log/mysqld.log
- macOS (Homebrew install):
/usr/local/var/mysql/hostname.err
- Windows:
C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server X.X\Data\hostname.err
Note:
ProgramData
is a hidden folder by default.
3. Find It Using MySQL Itself
Run this SQL command to see the current error log path:
SHOW VARIABLES LIKE 'log_error';
This returns the exact path MySQL is using for the error log.
What’s in the Error Log?
The log typically includes:
- MySQL startup and shutdown times
- Version and configuration details
- Failed connection attempts
- InnoDB recovery messages
- Out-of-disk-space or permission errors
- Crash information and stack traces
Tips for Using the Error Log
- Use
tail -f
on Linux to monitor it in real time:tail -f /var/log/mysql/error.log
- On Windows, use tools like Notepad , PowerShell, or
Get-Content -Wait
. - If the log is missing, check file permissions or whether
log_error
is disabled.
The exact location can vary, so always check the log_error
variable first. Once found, the error log becomes your go-to for diagnosing most MySQL server issues.
The above is the detailed content of What is the MySQL error log and where to find it?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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