How To Fix “Could not get mysqldump version” Error in MySQL Workbench on Ubuntu 18.04

In this article, we will be discussing how to resolve the error message “Could not get mysqldump version” that you may encounter while using MySQL Workbench on Ubuntu 18.04. This error typically occurs when trying to export a database backup.

Understanding the Error

MySQL Workbench is a unified visual tool for database architects, developers, and DBAs. One of its features is the ability to export databases using the mysqldump utility. However, sometimes, due to various reasons such as incorrect path settings or permission issues, you might encounter the error “Could not get mysqldump version.”

Verify mysqldump Version

The first step in troubleshooting this error is to verify if mysqldump is installed and working correctly. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:

mysqldump --version

This command will return the version information of mysqldump if it is correctly installed. If not, you may need to install or reinstall it.

Check mysqldump Path in MySQL Workbench

If mysqldump is correctly installed, the next step is to ensure that MySQL Workbench is correctly configured to use it. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open MySQL Workbench.
2. Go to Edit -> Preferences -> Administration.
3. Check the Path to mysqldump Tool field. It should be set to the correct path where mysqldump is installed.

Typically, the path would be /usr/bin/mysqldump or /usr/lib/mysql-workbench/mysqldump. If the path is incorrect, change it to the correct one, save the changes, and restart MySQL Workbench.

Remove loose-local-infile Parameter

In some cases, the loose-local-infile parameter in your my.cnf file might cause issues. This parameter is meant to be ignored by programs that do not understand it, but it could still cause problems. To fix this:

1. Open your my.cnf file.
2. Look for the loose-local-infile parameter.
3. Comment it out by adding a # at the beginning of the line, or remove the line entirely.

Note: Always make a backup of your configuration files before making any changes.

Upgrade MySQL Workbench

If you are using an older version of MySQL Workbench, consider upgrading to the latest version. Compatibility issues between the mysqldump utility and MySQL Workbench might cause the error. You can download the latest version from the official MySQL website.

Check File Permissions

Ensure that the user running MySQL Workbench has the necessary permissions to access and export data from the database. Also, check the permissions of the /etc/my.cnf file. If you see a warning about a world-writable config file, you can fix it by running the following command:

sudo chmod 644 /etc/my.cnf

This command changes the permissions of the my.cnf file to be readable by all users, but only writable by the owner.

Conclusion

By following the steps above, you should be able to resolve the “Could not get mysqldump version” error in MySQL Workbench on Ubuntu 18.04. If the error persists, it may be helpful to check the MySQL Workbench log for more detailed information about the error. Remember, always make a backup of any configuration files before making changes.