If your database can’t be found, it either has not been set up, or your username/password is wrong so the server can’t connect to that database. The other error is only showing because the site can’t find the database to be able to check the tables.
Double check your database connection details in your wp-config.php file, and make sure that your database has the correct permissions set up for that user.
The above message indicates that although the connection to the database is working, an important database table is missing. I would recommend that you use a backup to restore the database. If you don’t have one yourself, ask your hoster’s support team about this.
Hi, @catacaustic
I looked in to my wp-config.php file and typed in my correct username and password. For some reason, those had both been missing.
There’s one more line that I’m unsure of:
/** The database collate type. Don’t change this if in doubt. */
define( ‘DB_COLLATE’, ” );
That line I left alone.
However, even after inserting my username and password, I still receive the error that the database can’t be found. The error page looks a bit different though. But still no database found.
Thanks for your reply, @threadi
Right now, the entire site is simply housed on a dedicated external hard drive connected to my workstation. XAMPP software is installed so I can use that drive as a server. I connect to the site via localhost. After my initial work on the site is complete, I will move it to an actual webhost.
To create backups, I’ve just been copying all the files on that drive to a location on a separate drive. I actually have a few copies from different dates.
Given all that, what’s the best way to restore the database? Which specific files from the backup need to be copied back to the original WordPress drive? And in which folders should those files be copied from and to?
@threadi
Currently, when I try to connect to my WordPress dashboard via localhost, the message states:
Error establishing a database connection
This either means that the username and password information in your wp-config.php file is incorrect or that contact with the database server at localhost could not be established…
This is after I had gone into the wp-config.php file and typed in the correct login credentials.
Then the credentials data is obviously not correct. Double check which are the correct ones. If you use XAMPP, you must be able to find the access data for your database in its administration or define it yourself.
@threadi
Um…Specifically, with XAMPP, how do I find my database’s access data or define it myself? When it comes to coding or server-related issues, I’m not savvy.
I do not know XAMPP for this, which is not a topic here in the forum. I would recommend you to contact their forum: https://community.apachefriends.org/f/
Hi, @iamshubhamsp
Just to be clear, the only file I’m trying to repair via phpMyAdmin the one named wp-config.php. Is that correct, or are there other files I’m supposed to be looking into as well?
I can’t seem to find a file with that name in phpMyAdmin.
Thanks, @threadi . I posted an inquiry at the Apache Friends discussion board.
Hello, @catacaustic Thanks for your input.
Inside the wp-config.php file, I corrected the username and the password. Are there other steps I must take within that file or elsewhere to ensure the correct permissions for a given user? If yes, please let me know.
If you are having this many problems with XAMPP then I’d suggest ditching that and using something like Local for development. It takes away all of the issues that you’re facing now and sets it all up for you.
@themavo
You will not get wp-config.php file in phpmyadmin.
Can you try this few steps?
1. Incorrect database prefix – Your table prefix might be different (e.g., wp_ vs. themavo_).
2. Incomplete migration – If you moved the site, the database export/import may have failed.
3. Check if your DB is corrupted.
Enable WP Repair in wp-config.php
- Open your
wp-config.php file in your root directory.
define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);- Save the file.
