<p>The server cannot start or continue binary logging because the required log file cannot be created, opened, or written to.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1598: ER_BINLOG_LOGGING_IMPOSSIBLE appears when the server fails to create or write the binary log. Check log_bin settings, disk space, file permissions, and datadir ownership to resolve the issue.</p>
ER_BINLOG_LOGGING_IMPOSSIBLE
Error 1598 is raised when MySQL tries to enable binary logging but the operation is impossible. The server aborts startup or stops logging, and replication features depending on the binary log break.
MySQL returns SQL state HY000 and the message Binary logging not possible, indicating a critical configuration or filesystem problem that blocks the creation or update of the binlog files.
The error fires if the log_bin option is ON yet the server cannot create the first binary log file in the datadir. Missing write permissions, incorrect datadir paths, or exhausted storage are primary triggers.
It also appears when read_only or super_read_only is enabled together with log_slave_updates on a replica whose datadir is read-only, making writes to the binlog impossible.
First, verify that the MySQL user has write permissions on the datadir and existing binlog files. Correct ownership with chown mysql:mysql /var/lib/mysql and restart the server.
Next, confirm enough free disk space. If the partition is full, purge old logs with RESET MASTER or move the datadir to a larger disk.
Docker or Kubernetes containers often mount volumes with root ownership. Changing the volume user to mysql resolves the error.
Upgraded servers may inherit old --log-bin paths that no longer exist. Updating my.cnf to the correct absolute path prevents the startup failure.
Monitor disk space and inode usage with automated alerts. Rotate or expire binary logs using expire_logs_days or binlog_expire_logs_seconds.
Always validate permissions after changing datadir location, restoring backups, or cloning volumes. Use mysqld --validate-config before a restart.
Error 1231 variable_set_no_permission occurs when a session lacks SUPER privilege to toggle log_bin dynamically. Grant SUPER or use SET PERSIST for permanent changes.
Error 1595 ER_BINLOG_CREATE_LOG_FILE fails when the initial binlog file cannot be created. The troubleshooting steps mirror those for error 1598.
The mysql system user cannot write to the datadir or existing binlog files because of incorrect ownership or restrictive ACLs.
The partition hosting the datadir is out of space or has been remounted read-only after a crash, blocking new binlog writes.
my.cnf points log_bin to a directory that does not exist or is not accessible during server startup.
Docker or Kubernetes volumes default to root ownership, so the mysql UID lacks write access to the mounted path.
Occurs when MySQL fails to create the initial binlog file. Often a precursor to error 1598.
Raised when non-privileged users attempt to modify replication or binlog variables.
Appears during PURGE BINARY LOGS if the server cannot remove files because they are in use or the filesystem is read-only.
Yes. Remove or comment the log_bin line in my.cnf and restart the server. Replication and point-in-time recovery will no longer be possible.
It removes the ability to perform incremental backups and PITR. Full physical or logical backups still work.
Run SHOW VARIABLES LIKE 'datadir'; or check the --datadir argument with ps aux | grep mysqld.
Galaxy highlights server errors instantly in its SQL editor and offers AI-generated remediation steps, guiding engineers to fix binlog issues before production impact.
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