this is happening to me while installing PrestaShop 1.7 on my localhost using PHP 8 and xamp 3.2.4. I have tried creating an user and password to access my db also differents db names and still gives me this error. I tried even installing and old version of PrestaShop (1.6) and still the same.
Cant find much info about this on the web. Seems to be a new error but if everyone has some insight I take it.
Cheers
Prestoshop is still not compatible with php 8 wich the latest xampp version have so you need to install older version or at least install php 7.4 side by side with php 8. Here the official supported php version page: https://devdocs.prestashop.com/1.7/basics/installation/system-requirements/#php-compatibility-chart
First time i instaled the latest version of xampp and I had the same problem with prestashop database connection error .Second time i instaled an older version of XAMPP and it worked.
