<p>MySQL cannot complete an ALTER operation on a filegroup because the target file, filegroup, or tablespace is missing, locked, or misconfigured.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1533 ER_ALTER_FILEGROUP_FAILED occurs when an ALTER TABLE or ALTER TABLESPACE command cannot complete because the referenced filegroup or tablespace is unavailable or misconfigured. Check the file, permissions, and storage engine configuration, then rerun the ALTER statement to resolve.</p>
Failed to alter: %s
Error 1533 appears when MySQL attempts to execute an ALTER statement that changes a filegroup or tablespace and fails to access or update the underlying data file. The server reports “Failed to alter: %s” and rolls back the statement.
This runtime DDL failure halts the transaction, leaves metadata untouched, and prevents subsequent writes until the offending command is resolved.
The error typically arises when the named filegroup or tablespace does not exist, is offline, or is locked by another session. Incorrect file paths, insufficient disk space, and missing OS permissions also trigger the failure.
Version mismatches between the server and the storage engine plugin can render a tablespace unreadable, producing the same error during ALTER commands that reference it.
First, confirm that the filegroup or tablespace named in the ALTER command actually exists by querying INFORMATION_SCHEMA.FILES. Next, verify file ownership and directory permissions at the OS level. Finally, retry the ALTER statement once the tablespace is online and writable.
If the tablespace is corrupted, detach it with ALTER TABLESPACE ... DISCARD TABLESPACE, restore from backup, and reattach.
Moving a table to an InnoDB file-per-table tablespace that was deleted from disk triggers error 1533. Recreate the .ibd file from backup and run ALTER TABLE ... IMPORT TABLESPACE to fix.
Changing the default storage engine while a tablespace is offline causes the same error. Bring the tablespace online with ALTER TABLESPACE ... DISCARD/IMPORT before retrying.
Always verify disk space and file permissions before altering tablespaces. Use staged environments to test complex DDL. Monitor INFORMATION_SCHEMA tables to confirm that every referenced tablespace is online.
Galaxy’s IDE surfaces tablespace metadata inline, letting engineers validate paths and permissions before executing ALTER statements, reducing live errors.
Error 1526 ER_ALTER_DB_FAILED occurs during ALTER DATABASE operations and often shares the same root causes. Error 1030 ER_GET_ERRNO returns when MySQL receives a generic file or OS error; checking permissions usually resolves both.
The ALTER statement references an object that has been dropped or never created.
Another session or backup process holds an exclusive lock, preventing modifications.
MySQL lacks read or write rights on the .ibd or .ibdata file path.
No free space exists to create or grow the tablespace file.
An outdated storage engine plugin cannot read the tablespace format generated by a newer server.
Occurs when ALTER DATABASE cannot complete due to missing files or permissions.
General storage engine error often masking file system problems; check OS errno.
Raised when attempting to create a tablespace that already exists.
Reported when a required tablespace file is missing at startup.
Query INFORMATION_SCHEMA.FILES for the tablespace referenced in your ALTER statement and examine the STATUS column.
The ALTER operation is rolled back automatically, so existing data remains intact. Only the DDL change fails.
Yes, each table gets its own .ibd file. Deleting or moving that file without DISCARD/IMPORT raises error 1533 during ALTER.
Galaxy previews metadata and checks file paths before running DDL, alerting you to missing tablespaces and permission issues.
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