MySQL database connection fails with error 111

Other Questions MySQL
1

I’m working on a PHP script that needs to pull information from a database

Every time I run my code, I keep getting this error message:

Warning: mysql_connect() [function.mysql-connect]: Lost connection to MySQL server at 'reading initial communication packet', system error: 111 in /home/user/website/fetchRecords.php on line 5

The problematic line in my code looks like this:

$connection = mysql_connect("db.university.edu","user123","secret456");

I also attempted using localhost as the server name but got the same result. What could be causing this connection issue?

2

Check if your university network needs SSL connections to the database. Most schools force encrypted connections, which breaks the old mysql_connect function completely. Try connecting from off-campus first - if it works there but dies on university WiFi, you’ve got network restrictions blocking you. Also double-check the port with your database admin since universities love running MySQL on weird ports instead of the standard 3306. Had this same headache in my CS classes - turned out our lab needed specific connection settings that weren’t documented anywhere.

3

Error 111 indicates that the MySQL server is not accepting connections. This issue often occurs with university servers. Begin by verifying if the MySQL service is running on db.university.edu. If necessary, reach out to your database administrator or check the server’s status. It’s also common for firewalls to block port 3306, which can prevent connection attempts. Often, universities have strict network policies that may require connections from approved IPs or necessitate the use of a VPN. Lastly, ensure your login credentials are current, as educational institutions frequently change passwords.

4

I’ve fought database connection issues for years. Error 111 means connection refused, but don’t waste time tweaking server configs and firewall rules - just automate the data pulling.

Build a workflow that handles connections, retries, and errors automatically. Make it try different connection methods, switch to backup servers when one dies, and alert you when things break.

This saved me tons of time with our university database problems. The workflow watches connection health, swaps between mysqli and PDO depending on what works, and logs everything so you can spot patterns.

Schedule it during off-peak hours when university servers aren’t slammed. Beats debugging connection strings manually every single time.

5

ya, error 111 basically means ur connection is getting blocked. make sure mysql is running properly. and dont use mysql_connect anymore – think about upgrading to mysqli or PDO for better security. gl!