MySQL throws Error 1164 when you attempt to create or alter a table with an AUTO_INCREMENT column using a storage engine that lacks AUTO_INCREMENT support.
MySQL Error 1164: ER_TABLE_CANT_HANDLE_AUTO_INCREMENT occurs when you add an AUTO_INCREMENT column to a table powered by a storage engine (like CSV or some MEMORY configurations) that lacks auto-increment support. Switch to InnoDB or another compatible engine to resolve the issue.
The used table type doesn't support AUTO_INCREMENT
Error 1164 fires when MySQL detects that the chosen storage engine cannot maintain a sequential counter for an AUTO_INCREMENT column.
The server therefore rejects the CREATE TABLE or ALTER TABLE statement at parse time.
The message originates from the MySQL SQL layer, not the storage engine, so the failure happens instantly without writing data.
The error shows up during DDL operations that declare an AUTO_INCREMENT attribute on a column while the table is defined with CSV, ARCHIVE, MEMORY (pre-MySQL 8.0), or other custom engines without auto-increment capability.
It is also triggered when you convert an existing InnoDB table to one of these engines using ALTER TABLE ENGINE and leave an AUTO_INCREMENT column in place.
Leaving the operation unaddressed blocks schema migrations and forces workarounds in application code.
Fixing it restores normal insert workflows that rely on server-generated primary keys and keeps your database design consistent.
The primary cause is choosing a storage engine that lacks internal auto-increment counters.
Legacy MEMORY tables before MySQL 8.0, CSV files, and some third-party engines fall into this category.
Another cause is attempting to partition a table by a non-supported engine combination where partitions themselves do not support auto-increment.
Switch the table to an engine that supports AUTO_INCREMENT, most commonly InnoDB.
If you must keep the current engine, remove the AUTO_INCREMENT attribute and manage keys in application logic.
Ensure the table has a PRIMARY KEY when you enable AUTO_INCREMENT; InnoDB requires it.
Creating a CSV table with AUTO_INCREMENT – Use InnoDB instead.
Altering an InnoDB table to MEMORY – Drop the AUTO_INCREMENT attribute first or stay on InnoDB for that column.
Standardize on InnoDB for OLTP workloads.
Verify ENGINE clauses in migration scripts and disallow unsupported engines in CI pipelines.
Use tooling like Galaxy’s linting to flag statements that mix AUTO_INCREMENT with non-compatible engines before they reach production.
Error 1075 – Raised when a column used for AUTO_INCREMENT is not part of a primary key.
Error 1833 – Occurs when a storage engine is missing for a partition. Both require engine compatibility checks similar to Error 1164.
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No. CSV lacks internal counters for auto-increment. Convert to InnoDB or manage keys yourself.
Yes. Starting in MySQL 8.0, MEMORY tables gained limited support, but values reset on restart. In production, prefer InnoDB.
Yes. Dropping the attribute lets the DDL succeed, but you must then insert explicit key values.
Galaxy’s SQL linting warns when AUTO_INCREMENT is paired with non-compatible engines and suggests an engine switch before execution.
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