title: intelliJ IDEA: java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: com.mysql.jdbc.Driver
body: <p>I have downloaded the java connector and added it to my external library, however I am still unable to connect to my database. The error occurs at </p>
  
  <p>Class.forName(driver);</p>
  
  <p>Error:java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: com.mysql.jdbc.Driver</p>
  
  <p>I've attached a screenshot which should show everything that you need to know.</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/P1VdX.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/P1VdX.png" alt="Picture"></a></p>
  
  <p>SOLUTION: Turns out, you have to put the entire downloaded file in the External Library, not just the folder that its located in</p>