XAMPP MySQL Stuck on Refreshing? How to Fix

Published On - January 28, 2026

Jonathan Dough Content

XAMPP is an essential tool for web developers, offering an all-in-one package containing Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl. However, one common and frustrating issue many users encounter is MySQL being stuck on “refreshing” in the XAMPP control panel. This means you’re locked out of your local database environment, potentially stalling development or testing progress. Understanding what’s causing this glitch and how to fix it quickly is crucial to maintaining your momentum.

TLDR: Too Long, Didn’t Read

If your XAMPP MySQL is stuck on “Refreshing”, it’s likely due to port conflicts, service errors, corrupted logs, or incorrect configurations. Begin by checking for other programs using port 3306, like Skype or another MySQL instance. Kill the process or change the port number. Make sure MySQL is properly installed and the service is running correctly via the Windows Services panel. Restart both MySQL and the XAMPP control panel. Scroll down for a full step-by-step walkthrough on how to resolve the problem permanently.

What Does “Refreshing” Mean in XAMPP?

When you launch XAMPP and try to start MySQL, the control panel should display “Running” in green next to MySQL. If instead you see “Refreshing” endlessly, it means MySQL is either failing silently or stuck in the attempt to start. No matter how many times you click “Start”, nothing changes. This is a clear indication that something at the system or configuration level is wrong.

Common Causes of MySQL Being Stuck on Refreshing

There are several potential culprits behind this issue. Here are the most common:

  • Port conflicts: Another application is using port 3306 (MySQL’s default port).
  • Incorrect configuration file: A corrupted or misconfigured my.ini file can prevent launching.
  • Service errors: The MySQL Windows service isn’t installed properly or failed to start.
  • Broken MySQL installation: Essential files may be missing or unresponsive.
  • Corrupted logs or data: Log files can grow too large or become corrupted, leading to startup failure.

Step-by-Step Fixes for XAMPP MySQL Stuck on Refreshing

Follow these steps in order; after each one, try restarting MySQL to see if the issue is resolved.

1. Check if Port 3306 is Already in Use

XAMPP MySQL relies on port 3306. If another application, such as another MySQL instance or Skype, is using that port, XAMPP’s MySQL won’t start.

How to check and free port 3306:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. Run the command: netstat -aon | findstr 3306
  3. Check if a process is using that port. Copy the PID.
  4. Open Task Manager > Details tab, and find the process with that PID.
  5. End the process or reconfigure it to use a different port.

If you’d rather change MySQL to use another available port:

  • Open XAMPP Control Panel.
  • Click Config next to MySQL and open my.ini.
  • Find lines with “port=3306” and change 3306 to another port like 3307.
  • Save and exit. Restart XAMPP.
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2. Ensure MySQL Service is Working Properly

Sometimes MySQL is installed as a Windows service but doesn’t start properly. You can manually check and manage it via the Windows Services panel.

To verify and restart MySQL service:

  1. Press Windows + R and type services.msc, then press Enter.
  2. Find mysql or mysql57 in the list.
  3. If it’s not running, right-click and choose Start.
  4. If it’s already running, select Restart.

If the service won’t start, consider removing the MySQL service and reinstalling it through XAMPP. To do this:

  • Open XAMPP Control Panel.
  • Click the red X beside MySQL to remove the service.
  • Then click on the same space (now a green checkmark) to reinstall the service.

3. Examine Log Files

Log files can be helpful in diagnosing startup issues. In particular, you want to look at:

  • mysql_error.log
  • mysql_query.log

These are typically located under: C:\xampp\mysql\data

Open these logs in a text editor and scroll to the bottom. Look out for any ERROR or WARNING messages with timestamps that align with your start attempts. Common messages might reference corrupt tables or missing files.

4. Delete Corrupted Data Files (Use with Caution)

If MySQL fails due to corrupted internal data, you might have to remove the ibdata1 file or replace the data folder (back it up first!). This is a destructive process and only recommended if no other step works.

Steps:

  1. Stop MySQL in XAMPP if it’s running.
  2. Navigate to C:\xampp\mysql\data.
  3. Backup everything in this folder.
  4. Delete or rename the ibdata1 file.
  5. Restart XAMPP and MySQL; new data files will be created.

If that doesn’t work, replacing the entire backend:

  • Reinstall XAMPP completely after backing up your htdocs and mysql/data folders.
  • This ensures completely fresh setup free of configuration or data issues.

5. Recheck Configuration Files

Config files like my.ini or config.inc.php in phpMyAdmin can sometimes be misconfigured.

Be sure of the following:

  • No typos in my.ini; especially in socket, port, or basedir settings.
  • config.inc.php contains correct MySQL user/password details.
  • No conflicting settings are overriding default configurations.

Preventing the Issue in the Future

Even after you’re able to fix the stuck “refreshing” issue, prevention is better than cure.

Here are some best practices to avoid recurrence:

  • Avoid running multiple MySQL servers unless they’re configured with different ports.
  • Regularly back up your database files and configuration settings.
  • Shut down services cleanly through the XAMPP panel to prevent data corruption.
  • Monitor disk space and log file growth, which can cause MySQL to slow or crash on boot.

Conclusion

Getting stuck on MySQL “Refreshing” in XAMPP is a common but solvable issue. In most cases, the cause is related to port usage or a disabled MySQL service. Through methodical checking—from port conflicts, services, configuration files, to logs—you can identify and resolve the problem. For developers relying on local servers, having a stable MySQL setup is a foundation of productivity. With the right knowledge and steps, you can resolve the issue quickly and get back to coding.