The error appears when MySQL fails to rename or alter a table because the underlying file operations cannot be completed.
MySQL Error 1025: ER_ERROR_ON_RENAME occurs when the server cannot rename a table during ALTER TABLE or RENAME TABLE. Check foreign keys, file permissions, and storage engine constraints, then retry the DDL statement after fixing the blocker.
Error on rename of '%s' to '%s' (errno: %d - %s)
MySQL raises Error 1025 (SQLSTATE HY000) when it attempts to rename a table’s underlying .ibd or .frm files and the operating system reports a failure.
The message shows the source and target paths plus the OS error code and text.
This failure usually surfaces during ALTER TABLE, RENAME TABLE, DROP INDEX, or foreign-key modifications where MySQL internally creates a shadow table and then renames files.
Foreign keys referencing the table block the rename because the constraint needs to be updated first.
Duplicate object names appear when a table or index with the destination name already exists.
File-system issues such as missing write permissions, full disk, or case-sensitivity mismatches stop MySQL from renaming files.
InnoDB crash remnants leave orphan .frm or .ibd files that conflict with the new name.
Identify and drop or re-create foreign keys that reference the target table before running the ALTER statement.
Ensure no table, view, or temporary file already uses the desired new name inside the database directory.
Validate that the MySQL process owns write permissions on the data directory and that the filesystem is not read-only or full.
If orphan files exist, back them up and remove them after confirming they are not needed, then rerun the DDL.
Adding a primary key with ALTER TABLE may fail when another table references the columns.
Drop the constraint with ALTER TABLE child DROP FOREIGN KEY fk_name first.
Renaming a table in a case-insensitive filesystem like Windows but case-sensitive MySQL collations can create hidden duplicates. Use a two-step rename: tmp name then final name.
Large InnoDB tables running out of disk space during ALTER TABLE cause the rename to abort.
Free disk space or use ALGORITHM=INPLACE where possible.
Always review foreign-key dependencies with SELECT * FROM information_schema.KEY_COLUMN_USAGE before altering parent tables.
Enable innodb_file_per_table and keep data and log directories on separate volumes to reduce rename conflicts.
Automate DDL in version-controlled migrations so each step drops and re-adds constraints explicitly.
Error 150 (ER_CANT_CREATE_TABLE) surfaces when foreign-key definitions are invalid; fix by aligning parent and child columns and data types.
Error 1050 (ER_TABLE_EXISTS_ERROR) indicates the destination table name already exists; choose a different name or drop the conflicting object.
Error 1040 (ER_TOO_MANY_CONNECTIONS) can interrupt DDL and leave partial files; increase max_connections or throttle migration tools.
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Child tables with active foreign keys referencing the table prevent MySQL from completing the internal rename step.
If a table, view, or index with the target name exists, the operating system blocks overwriting the file.
The MySQL user lacks write permissions or the disk is mounted read-only, causing the rename syscall to fail.
Unclean shutdowns leave stray .ibd or .frm files, creating naming collisions during future DDL.
Online ALTER operations create a temporary copy that needs extra disk space; without it, the rename aborts.
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Yes, use ALTER TABLE ... ALGORITHM=INPLACE, LOCK=NONE in MySQL 5.6+ to update metadata without full rename, but it only works for certain operations.
Primarily an InnoDB issue; MyISAM rarely triggers it because file renames are simpler and lack foreign-key constraints.
No, disabling checks skips validation but MySQL still tracks metadata, so the rename fails if constraints exist.
Galaxy’s editor highlights foreign-key dependencies before executing DDL and offers AI-generated safe migration scripts, reducing rename failures.
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