MySQL Error 1676: ER_MESSAGE_AND_STATEMENT - How to Fix and Prevent

What is MySQL Error 1676 (ER_MESSAGE_AND_STATEMENT)?

Error 1676 is an execution-time MySQL error whose template is “%s Statement: %s”. The server throws it when it attempts to merge a custom diagnostic message with the SQL text that produced the warning or error. It surfaces most often inside stored procedures, functions, or triggers that use SIGNAL or RESIGNAL.

Because the error originates during statement instrumentation, it does not point at syntax. Instead it indicates that the diagnostic stack contained both a message string and a statement pointer, but MySQL failed to format them correctly.

When does the error occur?

The condition appears during runtime, not at compile time. Typical moments include raising custom exceptions in stored routines, invoking RESIGNAL to bubble up an error, or MySQL internally appending the current statement to a diagnostics area entry.

It can also emerge in client libraries that request SHOW WARNINGS immediately after a SIGNAL, because the server must format the composite text for transmission.

Why should you fix it quickly?

Left unresolved, Error 1676 aborts the surrounding transaction, rolls back uncommitted changes, and propagates an unclear message to calling applications. Fixing it restores predictable error handling and prevents silent data loss.

What Causes This Error?

The root cause is usually a malformed SIGNAL or RESIGNAL clause. Passing NULL or an oversized string into MESSAGE_TEXT, combining incompatible SQLSTATE values, or using string-format placeholders that MySQL cannot resolve will trigger the formatter.

A secondary cause is upgrading MySQL without recompiling stored routines; older routines may rely on internal message formats removed in newer versions.

How to Fix MySQL Error 1676

First isolate the exact SIGNAL or RESIGNAL throwing the exception by enabling the GENERAL LOG or adding diagnostic SELECT statements. Then ensure MESSAGE_TEXT is a non-null VARCHAR ≤ 128 characters and contains no %s sequences.

If RESIGNAL is used without a MESSAGE_TEXT argument, add one explicitly or remove the RESIGNAL to let MySQL propagate the original error.

Common Scenarios and Solutions

In triggers that guard business rules, replace RESIGNAL; with RESIGNAL SET MESSAGE_TEXT = 'Rule violated'; to make the formatter happy. In exception handlers that re-raise an error, copy SQLSTATE and only add a concise message.

When an application framework concatenates long SQL into SIGNAL, truncate the statement before passing it to MESSAGE_TEXT or store it separately in a log table.

Best Practices to Avoid This Error

Validate all MESSAGE_TEXT inputs for length and disallowed characters. Keep custom messages short and constant. Use parameterized logging tables for large statement text rather than stuffing it into the diagnostics area.

Adopt automated unit tests for stored routines and run mysqlcheck --routines after upgrades.

Related Errors and Solutions

Error 1644 (ER_SIGNAL_EXCEPTION) indicates a generic SIGNAL failure without the statement portion. Error 1645 (ER_SIGNAL_UNKNOWN_SIGNAL) fires when SQLSTATE is invalid. Address them similarly by fixing SIGNAL syntax.

Error 1640 (ER_RESIGNAL_WITHOUT_ACTIVE_HANDLER) happens when RESIGNAL is issued outside an error handler; wrap it in a DECLARE ... HANDLER block.