Access denied for user 'roundcube'@'localhost' (using password: NO)

[Fantaa]

Moin,

roundcube has been working flawlessly on my computer for many years. I hadn't used it for a while now because I was using MUA on my laptop. In the meantime, there were a few updates on my server, including the upgrade from Debian 12 to 13.

Now Roundcube isn't working anymore. Error in /var/log/roundcube/errors.log:

[26-Mar-2026 13:26:55 +0000]: <43a93627> DB Error: SQLSTATE[HY000] [1045] Access denied for user 'roundcube'@'localhost' (using password: NO) in /usr/share/roundcube/program/lib/Roundcube/rcube_db.php on line 202 (GET /roundcube/?_task=mail&_mbox=INBOX)

The settings in /etc/roundcube/debian-db.php are correct, however, the file has not been edited since 2022.

Installed:

root@boulder ~ # dpkg --list | grep roundcube
ii roundcube-core 1.6.13+dfsg-0+deb13u1 all skinnable AJAX based webmail solution for IMAP servers
ii roundcube-mysql 1.6.13+dfsg-0+deb13u1 all metapackage providing MySQL dependencies for RoundCube
ii roundcube-skin-classic 1.6.0+ds-3 all skinnable AJAX based webmail solution for IMAP servers - classic theme
ii roundcube-skin-larry 1.6.1+ds-3 all skinnable AJAX based webmail solution for IMAP servers - Larry theme

Any hint?

[SKaero]

/etc/roundcube/debian-db.php is not the default location for the Roundcube config, and because the error has "(using password: NO)" indicates that it likely not reading the config file at all assuming that there is a database password.

My guess is that was a change made in the package from your distro and its no longer checking the custom config location.

[Fantaa]

Thanks for your answer. I was able to fix it by reinstalling the package and, maybe the more importand point, by recreating the database.

Micha