How can I restore the MySQL root user’s full privileges?

If the GRANT ALL doesn't work, try: Stop mysqld and restart it with the --skip-grant-tables option. Connect to the mysqld server with just: mysql (i.e. no -p option, and username may not be required). Issue the following commands in the mysql client: UPDATE mysql.user SET Grant_priv='Y', Super_priv='Y' WHERE User='root'; FLUSH PRIVILEGES; After that, you should be able to run GRANT ALL ON *.* TO 'root'@'localhost'; and have it work.