MySQL error 1146 signals that the referenced table name cannot be located in the currently selected database.
“Table doesn't exist” (MySQL error 1146) means the server can’t find the table you named. Check that you’re in the right database, spell the table exactly—including case—and recreate or restore the table if it was dropped; correcting the reference removes the error.
ERROR 1146 (42S02): Table 'database.table' doesn't exist
MySQL raises error 1146 when a query references a table name that the server cannot locate in the selected database schema. The engine halts execution immediately and returns the 42S02 SQLSTATE code.
The error appears in SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, ALTER, and JOIN statements, as well as in stored routines, views, and triggers. Fixing it is crucial because the query never runs, blocking applications and ETL jobs.
Most occurrences boil down to typos, case-sensitivity mismatches, running the query in the wrong database, or the table having been dropped or renamed. Less frequent causes include corrupted data dictionary files or insufficient permissions to see the table.
Locate the table with SHOW TABLES or Galaxy’s autocomplete. If the table is missing, recreate it from a backup or regenerate DDL. If it exists under a different name or case, adjust the query. Finally, confirm you are connected to the correct schema with USE database_name;
Migrations often rename tables, triggering legacy code. Containerized test environments may select the default ‘mysql’ database unintentionally. On Linux, a mixed-case table created on Windows fails after deployment when lower_case_table_names differs.
Adopt naming conventions and enforce them in CI. Enable Galaxy’s linting to flag unresolved identifiers before execution. Store schema DDL in version control and run automated integration tests that cover every critical query.
Unknown database (1049) occurs when the schema is missing. Unknown table (1051) appears during DROP TABLE. In PostgreSQL, the equivalent error reads “relation does not exist.” Fixes are similar: verify object names and context.
Even a single character difference prevents MySQL from matching the identifier, especially on case-sensitive file systems.
The table was intentionally or accidentally removed or altered by schema migrations, leaving legacy queries pointing to an old name.
Running queries after connecting to the wrong schema makes valid table names appear missing.
Damaged .frm or InnoDB dictionary entries hide tables until repaired with mysql_upgrade or recreated from backup.
A user lacking SHOW/SELECT rights might trigger the error even though the table exists for privileged accounts.
No. While typos are common, the table might have been dropped, renamed, or hidden by permission issues.
Linux file systems are case-sensitive, so mixed-case table names created on Windows may break after deployment.
Use IF EXISTS checks or dynamic SQL to guard against missing tables, but ignoring the error risks data loss.
Galaxy flags unresolved identifiers in real-time and auto-suggests valid table names, preventing the error before execution.
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