MySQL raises ER_ERROR_DURING_ROLLBACK (code 1181) when it encounters an internal failure while undoing a transaction with ROLLBACK.
MySQL Error 1181: ER_ERROR_DURING_ROLLBACK signals that the server failed internally while reversing a transaction. Inspect the preceding error in the error log, fix disk, engine, or lock issues, then retry or restore from backup.
Got error %d during ROLLBACK
MySQL throws error 1181 (SQLSTATE HY000) when the server cannot complete a ROLLBACK command because another internal error occurred during undo logging.
The placeholder %d is replaced by the underlying engine error code.
The problem is critical because the database may remain in an inconsistent state, blocking further writes and potentially corrupting data if not handled promptly.
The error arises during implicit or explicit rollbacks: COMMIT that fails and auto-rolls back, explicit ROLLBACK statements, or transaction aborts triggered by lock timeouts, deadlocks, or crashes.
It is reported by the server layer after the storage engine returns an error while undoing changes, so you should always check the MySQL error log for the original engine-level message.
Most cases trace back to InnoDB issues such as out-of-disk space, corrupted undo logs, or fatal lock wait timeouts during rollback.
File system permissions or sudden power loss can also interrupt the undo process.
For MyISAM or other engines, missing table files, read-only volumes, or crashed index pages can generate the rollback failure.
First, locate the preceding error in mysql.err.
That message identifies the storage engine problem you must solve before retrying the ROLLBACK or restarting MySQL.
Common fixes include freeing disk space, repairing tables, restoring from backup, and increasing InnoDB log file size to give rollbacks room to finish.
Out-of-Space: Free disk, then restart MySQL so the rollback can replay.
Corrupted Undo Tablespace: Dump affected databases, recreate undo tablespace, and reload data.
Monitor disk, memory, and InnoDB log file usage. Keep regular backups.
Enable innodb_flush_log_at_trx_commit=1 for durability.
Use shorter transactions to reduce undo volume. In Galaxy’s editor, you can preview data-modifying queries and commit in small batches, lowering rollback risk.
MySQL Error 1205 (ER_LOCK_WAIT_TIMEOUT) occurs when locks block too long before a rollback; resolve by adding indexes or increasing lock timeout.
Error 1213 (ER_LOCK_DEADLOCK) signals a deadlock that triggers an automatic rollback; analyze innodb_status to reorder queries.
.
Not necessarily. MySQL halts to protect data. After fixing the root problem and restarting, most transactions will roll back cleanly.
No. The server is warning that a transaction may be partially applied. Ignoring it risks inconsistent data and further errors.
Large undo can take minutes or hours. Monitor the error log. If progress stops, consider restoring from a recent backup.
Galaxy encourages smaller, reviewed transactions and surfaces execution plans, reducing chances of massive rollbacks that trigger error 1181.
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