[Solved] An Exception Occurred in The Driver: Could Not Find Driver

Activate the extensions or add the absolute path for a quick fix

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Published onDecember 20, 2023

published onDecember 20, 2023

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Key notes

When running a Symphony app, users often get theAn exception occurred in the driver: could not find drivererror followed by the configured driver path. This is the case when the app uses the MySQL database.

The error usually appears when MySQL is not installed, you have incorrect file names, critical files are missing or stored in the wrong directory, or the required extensions are not installed or activated.

How do I fix the An exception occurred in the driver error?

Before we start with the slightly complex solutions, try these quick ones:

1. Install MySQL and its drivers

Install MySQL by running the following command in the terminal:sudo apt install php-mysql

For those running Linux, use this command to install the missing extensions:sudo apt-get install php-mysql php-pdo

If you use Docker, use this command to install the MySQL drivers:RUN docker-php-ext-install pdo pdo_mysql

2. Activate the extensions

In thephp.inifile, add the path wherexamppinstalled the extensions next toextension_dir. For instance, it could be:C:\xampp\php\ext

Now, activate the following extensions:

3. Add the absolute path

Add the absolute path (could be different in your case) toextensions_dirwith the following command:extension_dir = “c:\php5\ext”

Once done, restart the web server and check for improvements.

4. Replace 127.0.0.1 with Localhost

If you are getting theAn exception occurred in the driver: could not find drivererror while running:php bin/console doctrine:database:createorsymfony console doctrine:database:create

Replace127.0.0.1withlocalhostinDATABASE_URL. It finally becomes:DATABASE_URL=“mysql://db_user:db_password@localhost:3306/db_name?serverVersion=5.7&charset=utf8mb4”

The solution has been confirmed to work by many users. You should try this even if both[email protected]androot@localhostare stored in the MySQL user table.

5. Reinstall PHP’s PostgreSQL and remove unused PHP versions

One of these solutions should have helped fix theAn exception occurred in the driver: could not find drivererror. Remember, the error may arise from trivial misconfigurations to major corruption, and you will have to tackle it appropriately.

Before you leave, learn how toinstall Apache on Windows 11and prevent similar errors from arising!

For any queries or to share what worked for you, drop a comment below.

[Solved] An Exception Occurred in The Driver: Could Not Find Driver#

How do I fix the An exception occurred in the driver error?#

1. Install MySQL and its drivers#

2. Activate the extensions#

3. Add the absolute path#

4. Replace 127.0.0.1 with Localhost#

5. Reinstall PHP’s PostgreSQL and remove unused PHP versions#