How to Connect MySQL on Windows to Django in WSL

If you’re running a Django project in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and trying to connect it to a MySQL server installed on Windows, you might encounter some connectivity challenges. This is because WSL and Windows operate as separate environments. Here’s a step-by-step guide to bridging the gap and ensuring smooth communication between Django and MySQL.

Step 1: Install MySQL in WSL (If Needed)

If MySQL isn’t installed in your WSL environment, you can set it up with the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install mysql-server

Once installed, you can start the MySQL service with:

sudo service mysql start

If you prefer using the MySQL instance running on Windows, proceed to the next steps.

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