<p>MySQL cannot find the referenced foreign server because it was never created or was dropped.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1477: ER_FOREIGN_SERVER_DOESNT_EXIST happens when a query references a foreign server name that has not been defined with CREATE SERVER. Recreate the missing server or update the table definition to point at an existing server to resolve the issue.</p>
The foreign server name you are trying to reference does
MySQL raises this error when a statement cites a foreign server that the data dictionary cannot locate. The server might have been mistyped, dropped, or never created, leaving the reference orphaned.
The error commonly appears during CREATE TABLE ... ENGINE=FEDERATED, ALTER SERVER, or SELECT on a FEDERATED table whose connection option names a non-existent foreign server. It can also occur after an accidental DROP SERVER or metadata corruption.
Verify the server list with SHOW SERVERS. If the referenced name is missing, run CREATE SERVER to register it. Alternatively, edit the table or view definition so that it points to a valid foreign server.
Developers often clone schemas without copying foreign server objects, producing this error on first query. Restoring the missing CREATE SERVER statement or switching to a local storage engine removes the failure.
Always include CREATE SERVER commands in schema migration scripts, version foreign-server definitions in Git, and verify them in CI. Use descriptive server names and automated checks to catch typos early.
A single character error in the CONNECTION option or ALTER SERVER statement will point MySQL at a server that does not exist.
Running DROP SERVER removes the definition. Any existing FEDERATED tables that reference it start failing immediately.
Export scripts that ignore CREATE SERVER statements leave downstream replicas without the required server objects.
If the FEDERATED plugin is disabled or the user lacks CREATE SERVER privileges, the intended server is never created.
The server exists but connectivity settings are wrong, causing connection failure.
The target schema on the foreign server does not exist, even though the server is valid.
Occurs when recreating a FEDERATED table without dropping the previous copy first.
The plugin must be enabled, but the error only disappears after the correct CREATE SERVER statement is present.
You can convert the table to InnoDB or another local engine if you no longer need remote access.
Restore scripts must include the CREATE SERVER command; otherwise the error will persist after recovery.
Galaxy’s schema-aware autocomplete flags unknown server names during query editing, and versioned migration files ensure CREATE SERVER commands accompany table definitions.
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