<p>The error appears when you try to DROP, ALTER, TRUNCATE or RENAME a MySQL log table while binary or general logging is still active for that table.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1580 ER_BAD_LOG_STATEMENT occurs when you execute DDL on a log table while logging is enabled. Turn off logging with SET sql_log_bin = 0 or FLUSH LOGS, run the DDL, then re-enable logging to fix the problem.</p>
You cannot '%s' a log table if logging is enabled
The message "You cannot '%s' a log table if logging is enabled" tells MySQL administrators that a destructive DDL statement is targeting a system log table (for example, mysql.general_log or mysql.slow_log) while logging for that table is still active.
MySQL blocks the statement to protect logging integrity. The error is generated by the server core, not the storage engine, and it has SQLSTATE HY000, indicating a general execution problem.
Log tables continuously receive inserts from the server. Dropping or renaming such tables while writes are in flight can corrupt the binary or general log stream. MySQL therefore enforces a safety check before permitting structural changes.
The protection covers DROP, TRUNCATE, RENAME, ALTER TABLE ... ENGINE, and CREATE TABLE ... LIKE statements that reference a log table.
The error fires under three main conditions: binary logging enabled (sql_log_bin = 1), general or slow query logging directed to TABLE, and a DDL statement against mysql.general_log or mysql.slow_log.
Replication environments see it frequently when administrators attempt to truncate slow_log on a replica without pausing the SQL thread first.
Disable logging temporarily, execute your DDL, then re-enable logging. This can be done at the session or global level depending on scope.
In replicated setups, stop the SQL thread, change the table, and start the thread again to maintain consistency across replicas.
Developers often find slow_log growing rapidly in development databases. Switching slow_query_log output back to FILE, truncating the table, and then restoring logging to TABLE mode clears space without downtime.
Another scenario is automated maintenance jobs that attempt to rotate log tables without disabling logging first. Add a SET GLOBAL statement at the start of the job to avoid the error.
Always script log-table maintenance with explicit logging disable/enable blocks. Monitor log-table size and rotate before it becomes urgent.
Use Galaxy's guarded execution to run maintenance snippets: its AI snippets library includes vetted patterns that disable logging safely, reducing manual errors.
Error 1550 ER_CANT_CREATE_LOG_TABLE occurs when the log table schema is missing. Recreate it with mysql_upgrade or run the CREATE TABLE definition from MySQL documentation.
Error 1227 ER_SPECIFIC_ACCESS_DENIED_ERROR arises when a user lacking SUPER tries to disable logging. Grant the necessary privilege or run the command as a privileged account.
sql_log_bin is ON and the server refuses to modify a log table that is part of replication or point-in-time recovery.
general_log or slow_query_log variables are set to ON with log_output=TABLE, so the log tables are live targets for inserts.
On replicas, the SQL thread keeps logging enabled even if the user session disables it, causing the DDL to fail.
Cron scripts that rotate logs forget to toggle logging flags before truncating the slow_log, triggering the error.
Raised when MySQL cannot create the log table structure, often fixed by running mysql_upgrade.
Occurs when the executing user lacks the SUPER privilege required to toggle logging.
Appears when account privileges prevent modification of system tables, including log tables.
Deleting rows while logging is active can still lock the table. Disable logging first, then TRUNCATE or DELETE followed by OPTIMIZE TABLE.
No, session-level sql_log_bin affects only your session. Global replication continues unaffected.
Disabling logging does not stop the database. Only the log collection pauses; normal query processing continues.
Galaxy offers vetted maintenance snippets and AI guidance, ensuring you toggle logging correctly and never run risky DDL unreviewed.
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