apply security settings does not execute (no replies)

As the other topic on this forum I get error 1045
Access denied for user 'root'@'localhost' (using password: NO).
The using password NO sounds a bit worrying!

this happens on install config wizard at the last part 'Apply security settings'.

I did not get this the first time I installed but now I have uninstalled and re-installed I cannot get this part to complete.

I use my original password and I can access MySQL through the command line client using it.
The firewall settings are in place - port 3306 for inbound traffic and there is a setting for outbound traffic.
So - does it matter that this last part has not completed?

Thanks Sue