<p>MySQL raises error 1461 when the server has already created the maximum number of prepared statements allowed by the global variable max_prepared_stmt_count.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1461: ER_MAX_PREPARED_STMT_COUNT_REACHED means the server has hit the global limit for prepared statements. Close unused statements or increase max_prepared_stmt_count to resolve the issue.</p>
Can't create more than max_prepared_stmt_count statements
MySQL throws Error 1461 with SQLSTATE 42000 when a session tries to prepare a new statement after the server-wide limit defined by max_prepared_stmt_count has been reached.
The limit is shared across all connections, so one busy client or a leak in any application can exhaust the pool and block new prepared statements for everyone.
The error surfaces during PREPARE statements executed via SQL or client libraries that transparently use prepared statements. It can also occur when stored procedures, triggers, or ORM layers implicitly prepare statements at runtime.
High-traffic API endpoints, long-lived connections, and misconfigured connection pools are common contexts where the counter rises rapidly.
Once the limit is reached, new queries that rely on prepared statements fail, disrupting applications and background jobs. Because the cap is global, other otherwise healthy sessions are affected, causing cascading outages.
Clearing leaked handles or raising the limit restores database availability and shields the entire stack from unexpected downtime.
Applications that call PREPARE but forget DEALLOCATE leave handles open, gradually consuming the server limit.
Large pools can open hundreds of sessions, each preparing identical statements and multiplying handle usage.
Code that builds unique SQL per request prepares thousands of distinct statements the server can not reuse.
Stored procedures that stay active for hours keep their prepared statements alive even when not needed.
A default or arbitrarily low limit may not match modern workloads, triggering the error under normal load.
Occurs when a transaction waits too long for a locked resource. Unlike Error 1461, it involves row-level locks, not prepared statement limits.
Fires when the overall connection limit is reached. Similar in being a global cap, but it regulates sessions rather than prepared statements.
Indicates storage engine resource exhaustion, often disk or memory, whereas Error 1461 is tied to prepared statement counts.
Signals the server cannot allocate more memory. Prepared statement leaks can contribute to this situation.
Run SHOW VARIABLES LIKE 'max_prepared_stmt_count'; to view the active limit.
Yes. Once the statement handle is deallocated, the slot is released and the global count decreases instantly.
Yes. Use SET GLOBAL max_prepared_stmt_count = value; but remember to update my.cnf to persist after reboot.
Galaxy auto-closes prepared statements when you close a query tab and alerts you if your workspace approaches the server limit, preventing leaks.
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