MySQL 5.5.8 – Problem while Creating new User (SQL Error (1364): Field ‘authentication_string’ doesn

Solution: There are 2 ways to fix the problem:

A) Download HeidiSQL 6.0 and try creating user again.

B) Go to "users" table in "mysql" db and change the definition of table, alter table structure and allow null value for "authentication_string" field.

ALTER TABLE `user`  CHANGE COLUMN `authentication_string` `authentication_string` TEXT NULL COLLATE 'utf8_bin' AFTER `plugin`;

Ideally one should change the query if they are writing SQL statement to create user manually, but when we are using such tools it's not possible to do that and not logical either.

If you have encountered any bumps on the road while upgrading to MySQL 5.5, please do share with us.