If you're using XAMPP for local development, chances are you’ve come across this frustrating message at least once:

"MySQL shutdown unexpectedly."

Don’t worry — you’re not alone. This issue is extremely common, and luckily, there’s a simple way to fix it without losing your databases.

In this post, I'll walk you through a safe and effective solution to get MySQL running again in XAMPP.

Why Does MySQL Shutdown Unexpectedly in XAMPP?

• The most common reasons include:
• Forced shutdown of XAMPP without properly stopping MySQL
• Corrupt MySQL data files
• Port conflicts
• System crashes or power failures while MySQL is running

Whatever the cause, the method below can help you restore MySQL and your local projects without much hassle.

Step-by-Step Solution to Fix MySQL Shutdown in XAMPP

Follow these steps carefully:

1. Go to Your XAMPP Installation Folder

Navigate to where XAMPP is installed (e.g., C:\xampp).

Inside the MySQL folder, find the data folder.

Path: C:\xampp\mysql\data

2. Make a Backup of the Data Folder

Copy the data folder and paste it in the same location.

Rename the copied folder to something like data_old.

📂 This backup ensures that you don’t lose anything important in case something goes wrong.

3. Clean Up the Original Data Folder

Inside the original data folder:

Delete the following folders:

• mysql
• performance_schema
• phpmyadmin
• test

Delete all .err, .frm, .ibd, .MYD, .MYI files, etc., but do not delete the file named ibdata1.

⚡ Important: **ibdata1 **must be kept because it contains critical InnoDB data!

4. Copy Files from the Backup Folder

Go back to C:\xampp\mysql\backup.

Copy all files and folders from the backup folder except ibdata1.

Paste them into the original data folder where you just cleaned up.

5. Restart MySQL from the XAMPP Control Panel

Open the XAMPP Control Panel.

Click Start next to MySQL.

🎉 If you followed the steps correctly, MySQL should now start without any errors!

Quick Summary

1. Backup the data folder as data_old
2. Delete specific folders and files inside data (keep ibdata1)
3. Copy contents from backup folder (except ibdata1)
4. Paste into the original data folder
5. Restart MySQL via XAMPP Control Panel

Final Notes
This method helps repair MySQL without losing your projects.

Always properly shut down XAMPP before turning off your computer to avoid corruption.

Make regular backups of your data folder if you’re actively working on important databases.

Facing this problem can be stressful, but as you can see, the fix is straightforward when you know the right steps. 🚀

Now your local server is back on track — happy coding!