#### B.3.2.5 Too many connections

 If clients encounter `Too many connections` errors when attempting to connect to the [**mysqld**](mysqld.html) server, all available connections are in use by other clients.

 The permitted number of connections is controlled by the [`max_connections`](server-system-variables.html#sysvar_max_connections) system variable. To support more connections, set [`max_connections`](server-system-variables.html#sysvar_max_connections) to a larger value.

[**mysqld**](mysqld.html) actually permits [`max_connections`](server-system-variables.html#sysvar_max_connections) + 1 client connections. The extra connection is reserved for use by accounts that have the [`CONNECTION_ADMIN`](privileges-provided.html#priv_connection-admin) privilege (or the deprecated [`SUPER`](privileges-provided.html#priv_super) privilege). By granting the privilege to administrators and not to normal users (who should not need it), an administrator can connect to the server and use [`SHOW PROCESSLIST`](show-processlist.html) to diagnose problems even if the maximum number of unprivileged clients are connected. See [Section 13.7.7.29, “SHOW PROCESSLIST Statement”](show-processlist.html).

 The server also permits administrative connections on a dedicated interface. For more information about how the server handles client connections, see [Section 5.1.12.1, “Connection Interfaces”](connection-interfaces.html).

