Reset MySQL root password
Stop MySQL
systemctl stop mysqld
Set the MySQL environment option
systemctl set-environment MYSQLD_OPTS="--skip-grant-tables"
Start MySQL using the options you just set
systemctl start mysqld
Login as root
mysql -u root
For MySQL 5.7 or later
ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'MyNewPass';
Or for lower versions
UPDATE mysql.user SET authentication_string = PASSWORD('MyNewPassword') WHERE User = 'root' AND Host = 'localhost';
Flush privilege
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
exit
Stop MySQL
systemctl stop mysqld
Unset the MySQL environment option so it starts normally next time
systemctl unset-environment MYSQLD_OPTS
Start MySQL
systemctl start mysqld