Configuring logging options for auditing and troubleshooting in MySQL
Jul 10, 2025 pm 12:23 PMTo set up MySQL logs for auditing or troubleshooting, the key is to select the appropriate log type and configure it correctly. 1. Enable universal query logging to record all SQL statements, suitable for auditing, but may affect performance; 2. Enable slow query log recognition inefficient queries, suitable for long-term activation; 3. Use binary logs for data recovery and replication, and need to configure server_id and log retention time; 4. Check error logs to locate startup or runtime problems, which are usually enabled by default. Enable corresponding logs according to actual needs to avoid system overload.
If you're trying to set up MySQL logging for auditing or troubleshooting, the key is to pick the right logs and configure them properly without overloading your system. MySQL offers several log types that serve different purposes—so you need to know which ones matter most for your use case.

Enabling General Query Logging for Audit Trail
The general query log records all SQL statements received by the server. It's useful for auditing because it shows exactly what queries were run and who ran them.

To enable it, edit your my.cnf
or my.ini
file:
[mysqld] general_log = 1 general_log_file = /var/log/mysql/general.log
Or enable it at runtime with:

SET GLOBAL general_log = 1; SET GLOBAL log_output = 'FILE'; -- or 'TABLE' if you prefer mysql.general_log table
- If you're concerned about performance, keep in mind that this log can grow quickly on a busy server.
- Use it temporarily during investigations rather than leaving it on permanently in production.
Turning On Slow Query Log for Performance Troubleshooting
The slow query log helps identify inefficient queries that may be slowing down your database.
Enable and configure it like this:
[mysqld] slow_query_log = 1 slow_query_log_file = /var/log/mysql/slow.log long_query_time = 1 log_queries_not_using_indexes = 1
-
long_query_time
defines how long a query has to take before it gets logged (in seconds). - Setting
log_queries_not_using_indexes
to 1 will help you spot potentially problematic queries missing index usage.
This log is much more lightweight than the general log and safe to leave enabled in most environments.
Using Binary Logs for Data Recovery and Replication
Binary logs record all changes made to the database structure or data. They're essential for point-in-time recovery and replication settings.
Make sure these lines are in your config:
[mysqld] server_id = 1 log_bin = /var/log/mysql/bin.log expire_logs_days = 7 sync_binlog = 1
-
server_id
is required even for single-server setups if you ever plan to use replication later. -
expire_logs_days
controls how long logs are kept before being purged automatically. -
sync_binlog = 1
ensures logs are flushed to disk after every write, improving crash safety at a slight performance cost.
These logs aren't really for real-time troubleshooting but are cruel for backup and restore scenarios.
Checking Error Logs for Startup and Runtime Issues
The error log captures critical startup failures, crashes, and other serious issues. This one's usually enabled by default, but it's good to make sure it's configured correctly.
In your config:
[mysqld] log_error = /var/log/mysql/error.log
You might also see:
log_warnings = 2 # logs some additional warnings and connection-related messages
- Check this log first when MySQL won't start or behaves unexpectedly.
- Some distributions route errors through systemd or syslog, so check your environment setup.
Depending on your needs, you might use just one or a combination of these logs. Enable only what you actually need to avoid unnecessary overhead or noise.
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