<p>Raised when a BINLOG statement appears before any Format Description Event, preventing MySQL from decoding the binary log.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1609 ER_NO_FORMAT_DESCRIPTION_EVENT_BEFORE_BINLOG_STATEMENT occurs when a BINLOG statement is read without a preceding Format Description Event. Copy or regenerate the first binary log containing the header, then repoint replication to that file to resolve the issue.</p>
The BINLOG statement of type `%s` was not preceded by a
MySQL error 1609 occurs when the server or mysqlbinlog client encounters a BINLOG statement before any Format Description Event in the binary log. Without that metadata header, MySQL cannot decode subsequent events, so it aborts processing and raises error HY000.
This condition usually surfaces on replicas during point in time recovery, when binary log files are copied or truncated improperly. Because replication depends on a valid sequence of binlog events, fixing the missing header is critical to resume data flow.
A missing Format Description Event appears when the first binary log in a set was deleted, purged, or never copied to the replica. The server then starts reading a later file that lacks the required header.
It also happens if a binlog becomes corrupted by disk issues, sudden shutdowns, or manual edits. Corrupted bytes before the header can make MySQL misinterpret the first event as a BINLOG statement and trigger error 1609.
Identify the first valid binary log on the source that begins with the Format Description Event. Copy that file to the replica and point replication to its position 4, the official start of binlog content.
If the source logs are irreparable, reset the binary log index on the source, create fresh logs with RESET MASTER, and reconfigure replicas with CHANGE MASTER TO pointing at the new log file and position.
During backup restore, always copy every file named in the master.info or replica relay log index. Missing the first file is the top scenario that triggers this error.
After unexpected power loss, run mysqlbinlog -vv on each binlog to confirm it starts with Format Description Event. Replace any damaged file with a healthy backup before restarting replication.
Enable automatic purging only after ensuring replicas have processed all binary logs. Retaining at least one day of logs reduces accidental deletion of the starting file.
Store binary logs on reliable, redundant storage and monitor MySQL error logs for early corruption messages. Regularly test point in time recovery to validate that Format Description Events are intact.
Errors such as 1236 and 1593 also surface during replication setup. Reviewing the binary log header and syncing correct positions often resolves all three together.
The server purged or the admin deleted the initial binlog containing the Format Description Event, leaving subsequent logs unreadable.
Disk failures or abrupt power loss damaged the header, so MySQL misinterprets the first event as a BINLOG statement.
Using text editors or mysqlbinlog with --skip-write-binlog can remove the header accidentally, triggering error 1609.
Raised when the replica cannot locate the binary log referenced in master.info.
Occurs when the relay log is corrupt or inaccessible, halting replication.
Indicates that the relay log was truncated mid event, usually after disk full situations.
No. Replication stops until the missing Format Description Event is restored or new logs are generated.
It removes existing binary logs but not table data. Always take a backup before running it in production.
Galaxy alerts on replication lag and parses MySQL error logs, highlighting missing Format Description Events early.
All versions that use binary logging can raise error 1609 when the header is missing, including 5.6, 5.7, and 8.0.
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