title: Can't connect to remote MySQL server on Windows
body: <p>I'm trying to set up a MySQL server on Windows that will allow another computer to connect to it remotely. The client computer is getting a 'Can't connect to MySQL server' error in MySQL Workbench.</p>
  
  <p>Both computers are on the same network, and the server is using a static IP address (I have forwarded ports in my router to allow external connections to the public IP address).</p>
  
  <p>What I've tried (suggested by other threads):</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>In my.ini, setting <code>bind-address = 0.0.0.0</code> / commenting out <code>bind-address</code> / commenting out <code>skip-networking</code></li>
  <li>Running <code>GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* TO  'USERNAME'@'IP'  IDENTIFIED  BY  'PASSWORD';</code>. When I run this, I get the error <code>Using GRANT statement to modify existing user's properties other than privileges is deprecated and will be removed in a future release</code>; however I can confirm that in Workbench, the user's privileges are all checked (under the 'Users and Privileges' screen).</li>
  <li>In my router settings, forwarded port 3306 on the server's static IP address</li>
  <li>Disabling the Windows Firewall on the server.</li>
  <li>Verified that the MySQL Server Windows Service is running.</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>Can anyone advise?</p>