A PHP-based website on Plesk server fails to open: Failed to connect to MySQL: Access denied for user ‘jdoe’@’localhost’ (using password: YES)

Symptoms

• A PHP-based website fails to open with one of the next messages:

  Failed to connect to MySQL: Access denied for user 'jdoe'@'localhost' (using password: YES)

  ERROR [HY000] [MySQL][ODBC 3.5.1 Driver]Access denied for user 'jdoe'@'localhost' (using password: YES)

Cause

Incorrect database credentials settings specified in the website's configuration, for example, at Plesk > Domains > example.com > File Manager > httpdocs > config.php.

Resolution

1. Log into Plesk
2. Go to Domains > example.com > File Manager > httpdocs > config.php and make sure the specified database credentials are correct

   Note: The database credentials could be also adjusted for the user at Domains > example.com > Databases > User Management