<p>MySQL cannot drop a specified filegroup or tablespace, aborting the DDL statement.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1529: ER_DROP_FILEGROUP_FAILED occurs when the server fails to remove a tablespace or filegroup during a DROP or ALTER operation. Verify the file exists, ensure no tables use it, release OS locks, and rerun DROP TABLESPACE to resolve the issue.</p>
Failed to drop %s
MySQL raises error 1529 when it cannot remove a filegroup or tablespace in response to a DROP TABLESPACE, ALTER TABLESPACE, or ALTER LOGFILE GROUP statement. The server receives an error from the storage engine or the operating system and aborts the Data Definition Language (DDL) command.
The error is returned with SQLSTATE HY000, indicating a general error. The %s placeholder in the message is replaced with the filegroup or tablespace name that failed to drop, making it easier to identify the object causing the failure.
Error 1529 appears mainly in MySQL versions that use the NDB or InnoDB File-Per-Table implementation of tablespaces. It occurs during maintenance scripts, migrations, and deprovisioning tasks that attempt to delete tablespaces that are still referenced or locked.
The error can also arise if the underlying .ibd file is missing, the directory is read-only, or the process lacks file system permissions, leading MySQL to fail while unlinking or removing the physical files.
A failed DROP TABLESPACE leaves orphaned metadata and files on disk, wasting storage space and creating future conflicts when you attempt to recreate a tablespace with the same name. Clearing the condition immediately maintains schema consistency and prevents outages during deployments.
The most common root cause is that one or more tables still belong to the filegroup. Active connections holding metadata or table locks can also block the drop operation. File system permission problems and missing files likewise trigger the error.
In shared-storage environments, a lingering operating system handle or backup agent that keeps the file open can block MySQL from deleting the filegroup, producing error 1529.
First, confirm that no tables remain in the filegroup with SHOW TABLES WHERE tablespace_name='ts_name'. Move or drop those tables, then retry DROP TABLESPACE. If permissions are the issue, grant mysqld the correct OS rights or adjust the directory ownership.
If the tablespace file is already gone, remove the orphaned metadata by executing DISCARD TABLESPACE and then DROP TABLESPACE, or use the innodb_file_per_table and innodb_force_recovery settings to start MySQL and clean up manually.
Plan tablespace removal during maintenance windows, ensure no sessions use the tables, and enable performance_schema metadata lock monitoring to detect blockers. Automate checks that validate an empty tablespace before issuing DROP commands.
Use Galaxy's version-controlled SQL editor to review and endorse migration scripts. Its AI copilot warns about tablespace dependencies and helps ensure DROP statements are executed in the correct order, reducing the risk of error 1529.
Errors 1530 (ER_ADD_FILEGROUP_FAILED) and 1025 (ERROR_ON_RENAME) often appear during the same migration cycle. They share similar root causes such as missing files or active locks. The fixes follow the same pattern: release locks, validate paths, and repeat the DDL.
One or more tables reside in the target tablespace, preventing MySQL from deleting it.
Open transactions or sessions hold locks on tables within the tablespace, blocking the DROP operation.
The mysqld process lacks privileges to remove or rename the underlying files or directories.
Physical files have been manually deleted or damaged, causing MySQL to fail when synchronizing metadata.
External processes keep file handles open, denying mysqld exclusive access to delete the files.
Raised when the server cannot create a new filegroup or tablespace due to permission or path problems.
Occurs during ALTER TABLE when MySQL fails to rename underlying files, often linked to missing permissions.
Triggered when a user lacks the DROP or ALTER privilege needed to modify a tablespace or table.
No, the server stays online, but the DDL statement fails. You must resolve the issue and retry to finish the migration.
No. Ensure all tables are moved or dropped and no sessions hold locks before issuing DROP TABLESPACE.
Restarting can release OS locks, but you should still verify that the tablespace is empty and permissions are correct.
Galaxy highlights tablespace dependencies in SQL scripts, encourages peer review, and shows lock status, reducing the odds of encountering error 1529.
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