How to change your MYSQL tmpdir


This tutorial explains how you can change or move MySQL /tmp directory to a new location on a server / VPS. Login as root to your server via SSH.

Step 1: Open /etc/my.cnf file for editing

nano /etc/my.cnf

Step 2: Add below line under the [mysqld] section and save the file.

tmpdir=/home/mysqltmp

To save file press: Ctrl + O
To exit from nano editor press: Ctrl + X

This will set new location of MySQL tmp to /home/mysqltmp. You may change to any different location.

Step 3: Create new directory

mkdir /home/mysqltmp
chmod 1777 /home/mysqltmp

Step 4: Restart MySQL

/etc/init.d/mysql restart

Step 5: Check new location

mysqladmin var | grep tmpdir

This should show following return.

| slave_load_tmpdir                       | /home/mysqltmp
| tmpdir                                  | /home/mysqltmp