mysql configuration stops at “starting server”

Question

I was installing MySQL installer on my windows 8 machine. During the server configuration process, it gets stuck at \"starting server\" and doesn\'t move any further. The lo

Answer 1

This seems to be a chronic issue with MySQL Installer even now (v1.4.17.0). No matter what, every time I (re-)configure an instance on Windows 7 Pro or Server (2008 R2) it hangs at this point.

Simplest fix is:

1. When the installer hangs, open Windows Services and locate your mySQL service instance(s).
2. Double-click to open the/an instance and set Log on as: to Local System account and check Allow service to interact with desktop.
3. Optionally but preferably set the Recovery options to allow the service to resume after a problem.
4. Ensure that Startup type is set to Automatic (or whatever your preference is).
5. Click Apply and then click Start (or click OK and then start the service).
6. Return to the MySQL Installer and close any open warning about waiting for the process to complete and the process should continue.
7. Repeat as required for each MySQL Server instance.

Note: The installer seems to not enable the firewall exception that you may have selected when MySQL Server was first configured, so you may have to reconfigure again to open the firewall.

Side note: All-in-all, I'd have to say that after only two days of using the MySQL ecosystem, I'm less than impressed by how buggy things are. I would estimate that I had to set up two server interfaces about 6 times before everything worked as advertised. Workbench crashed on me 5+ times in the first day alone and I've had to traipse through any number of forums finding answers to stuff like this. Be prepared to do the same.

Answer 2

I've figured this one out. Mine was getting stuck at "Starting Server" too and Event Viewer had this -

The description for Event ID 100 from source MySQL cannot be found. Either the component that raises this event is not installed on your local computer or the installation is corrupted. You can install or repair the component on the local computer.    
If the event originated on another computer, the display information had to be saved with the event.    
The following information was included with the event:     
innobase_buffer_pool_size can't be over 4GB on 32-bit systems

So I figured out the problem was trying to start the 32-bit version of MySQL that comes bundled in with the installer on a 64-bit machine could have been the problem. Although, MySQL states it will install 64-bit of the database.

What I did was downloaded a 64-bit zipped version and unpackaged it into a temporary location. I re-ran the installer and let it install mysql. I replaced the contents of that with the other version from the temporary location without stopping the installer. Then I continued with configuration steps of the installer. It managed to start the service.

Here's full trace of the log.

Beginning configuration step: Stopping Server [if necessary]
Ended configuration step: Stopping Server [if necessary]

Beginning configuration step: Writing configuration file
Ended configuration step: Writing configuration file

Beginning configuration step: Updating firewall
Adding firewall rule for MySQL56 on port 3306.
Successfully added firewall rule.
Ended configuration step: Updating firewall

Beginning configuration step: Adjusting Windows service [if necessary]
Attempting to grant Network Service require filesystem permissions.
Granted permissions.
Adding new service
New service added
Ended configuration step: Adjusting Windows service [if necessary]

Beginning configuration step: Starting Server
Starting MySQL as a service
Ended configuration step: Starting Server

Beginning configuration step: Applying security settings
Attempting to update security settings.
Updated security settings.
Ended configuration step: Applying security settings

Beginning configuration step: Creating user accounts
Attempting to Add New MySQL Users
Added New Users.
Ended configuration step: Creating user accounts

Beginning configuration step: Updating Start Menu Link
Attempting to verify command-line client shortcut.
Verified command-line client shortcut.
Verified command-line client shortcut.
Ended configuration step: Updating Start Menu Link

Answer 3

I had the same problem where it changed from Local System Account to Network Service, I changed it in the services back to Local System Account. This however did not work. I came across another forum that suggested having spaces in the services name was causing the problem so I took out the spaces and put underscores and sure enough it worked!

Change spaces to underscores!

Answer 4

I found another solution: I was using a complex password with special characters in it. When I switch to using only alphanumeric characters in the password, it installed with no issues.

Answer 5

None of the above solutions worked for me. I finally installed an older version. You can look at the version release history from here. Instead of installing the latest MySQL version 8.0.21.0, I instead installed version 8.0.18.0 from here. It finally worked.

Answer 6

Here is what I did:

1. Installed it with mysql-installer-web-community-5.6.23.0.msi
2. For my purposes I selected "Custom" install with MySQL servers 5.6.22 - X64 and MySQL Connectors -> Connector ODBC/5.3.4 - 64
3. Next -> Execute -(ready to configure) -> Next
4. Config type: Development machine, all defaults (TCP/IP, Port: 3306, Open firewall)
5. Typed in MySQL Root Password
6. MySQL user Accounts -> Add user (username, password, OK) -> Next
7. Configure MySQL Server as a Windows Service (CHECKED)
8. Windows Service Name: MySQL56 (default)
9. Start the MySQL Serve at System Startup
10. THIS IS CRUCIAL (BUG IS HERE): Run Service as... Standard System Account (CHECKED - but it will be disregarded and that is BUG)
11. Next -> Execute, Installation hangs on Starting server, so wait for a while to time out (or don't, your choice). When Dialog (might be covered with other windows) popup with message "Configuration of MySQL Server is taking longer than expected..., here click OK (so to wait longer)
12. Meanwhile go to Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services -> find MySQL56, right click on it -> Properties -> select Log On Tab AND HERE IS BUG -> Although Local System Account was selected, Somehow "This account: Network Service (with some password) was selected -> Select Log on as: Local System Account, Allow service to interact with desktop -> Apply -> Go back on general tab
13. On general tab click on "Start" button to start service and here it is! Service is started! Click on OK to close MySQL56 Properties dialog. Close Services dialog. Close Administrative tools. Close control panel.
14. And by that time (while you were closing those dialogs) when you look at MySQl Installer Dialog all steps are finished and checked: Starting Server, Applying security... Creating user accounts.. Updating Start menu link
15. Confirm with Finish -> Next -> Finish

That's it, happy MySQL-ing :)