<p>MySQL error 1726 appears when a storage engine that cannot manage MySQL system tables is assigned to them.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1726: ER_UNSUPPORTED_ENGINE occurs when you try to create or alter a system table with a storage engine that does not support system tables. Switch the table to an engine like InnoDB to resolve the issue.</p>
Storage engine '%s' does not support system tables.
MySQL throws error 1726 with the message "Storage engine '%s' does not support system tables" when the server detects that a system table is mapped to a storage engine that lacks the internals required for data dictionary tasks.
The error commonly appears during upgrades, server startups, or manual attempts to change system table definitions. Fixing it quickly is critical because system tables store permissions, replication data, and metadata required for database stability.
The main trigger is assigning a non-supported engine, such as MyISAM or MEMORY, to system schemas like mysql, sys, performance_schema, or information_schema. MySQL 8.0 expects these tables to use InnoDB exclusively.
Automatic upgrade scripts, import dumps from older versions, or manual ALTER TABLE commands can inadvertently set an unsupported engine and lead to error 1726.
Identify which system tables use an invalid engine, then convert them to InnoDB or rebuild them using mysqld --upgrade=FORCE. Always back up your database before modifying system tables.
After conversion, restart MySQL and verify that all mysql schema tables report ENGINE=InnoDB. The server should start without error 1726.
During an upgrade from 5.7 to 8.0, dumping with --skip-add-drop-table can keep old engine definitions, causing the error on import. Export again without that flag or edit the dump to set ENGINE=InnoDB.
If a DBA manually altered mysql.user to MyISAM for performance, switch it back: ALTER TABLE mysql.user ENGINE=InnoDB; then run FLUSH PRIVILEGES.
Always use mysqldump --single-transaction --skip-lock-tables so system tables stay InnoDB. Avoid manual engine changes on schemas mysql, sys, performance_schema, and information_schema.
Leverage Galaxy’s context-aware editor to flag engine changes to system tables in code reviews, preventing accidental misconfiguration.
Error 1286 (HY000): Unknown storage engine - happens when MySQL does not recognize the engine name. Check plugin_load settings.
Error 1030 (HY000): Got error 168 from storage engine - often surfaces after forced engine changes; inspect storage engine status for corruption.
Importing a 5.7 dump where system tables were MyISAM into MySQL 8.0 converts engines blindly, triggering error 1726.
DBAs sometimes change engines on mysql.* tables for speed. This breaks internal APIs that require InnoDB.
Setting default_storage_engine=MyISAM at the global level forces CREATE TABLE statements, including system tables during upgrades, to adopt MyISAM.
Third-party storage engine plugins that override CREATE TABLE behavior might assign unsupported engines to system tables.
Raised when the specified engine is not compiled into MySQL or disabled. Load the plugin or choose a valid engine.
Appears when users attempt disallowed DDL on system tables. Use permitted ALTER commands only.
Signals storage engine corruption or misconfiguration. Check engine diagnostics and tablespace permissions.
No. Only InnoDB is supported for system tables in MySQL 8.0. Any other engine risks data dictionary corruption.
Yes when you avoid flags like --skip-add-drop-table and keep InnoDB as the default. Always test restore on a staging server.
The error targets system schemas. However, MySQL may refuse to start, indirectly blocking access to all user databases until fixed.
Galaxy’s SQL linting highlights engine changes in pull requests, and its shared query library stores vetted DDL, reducing accidental misuse of unsupported engines.
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