MySQL raises error 1881 when any write or DDL statement is executed while the server is running with innodb_forced_recovery greater than 0.
MySQL Error 1881 ER_INNODB_FORCED_RECOVERY occurs when the server is started in forced-recovery mode and you attempt a write or DDL. Switch innodb_forced_recovery back to 0 and restart after backing up critical data to resolve the issue.
ER_INNODB_FORCED_RECOVERY
Error 1881 fires when you execute any operation that changes data or metadata while the MySQL server is running with the global variable innodb_forced_recovery set to a value above 0. The variable places InnoDB in a read-only, crash-recovery state.
MySQL introduced this diagnostic in 5.7.4 to protect corrupted instances. It blocks inserts, updates, deletes, and most DDL until the database is safely restarted in normal mode.
Administrators set innodb_forced_recovery during emergency startups to dump data or identify corrupt pages. Acceptable values range from 1 to 6, with higher numbers disabling more features.
While the setting is active, InnoDB suppresses redo and undo processing. Allowing writes in this state could worsen corruption, so MySQL rejects them with error 1881.
Trying to create, drop, or alter tables while innodb_forced_recovery is greater than 0 immediately triggers the error.
INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, REPLACE, LOAD DATA, and TRUNCATE commands are also blocked because they modify pages that InnoDB is treating as read-only.
First, back up all essential data, typically with SELECT ... INTO OUTFILE or mysqldump, while still in forced-recovery mode.
After backups complete, edit my.cnf (or my.ini) to remove or set innodb_forced_recovery=0, then perform a clean restart. The server will resume full read-write capability and the error disappears.
Scenario: Server won’t start due to corruption. Solution: Start with innodb_force_recovery=1, dump data, restart with 0.
Scenario: Automated script forgot to clear the variable. Solution: Comment out the configuration or use SET GLOBAL innodb_forced_recovery=0; followed by a controlled shutdown and restart.
Only enable forced-recovery during emergency diagnostics. Document the change and schedule a restart to normal mode immediately after backup.
Maintain regular backups and enable binary logging to minimize downtime if corruption occurs, reducing the need for forced-recovery startups.
Error 1025 (Error on rename of): happens during table rebuilds in forced-recovery. Clear the variable first.
Error 1146 (Table doesn't exist) may follow forced-recovery dumps if DDL was skipped. Recreate missing tables after normal restart.
innodb_forced_recovery left at 1-6 in my.cnf after emergency maintenance keeps the server read-only.
Automated jobs that run at boot time may try to alter tables while InnoDB is still in forced-recovery mode.
Levels 4-6 disable even more internal operations, so almost every statement besides SELECT triggers the error.
Appears when corruption hides tables; often accompanies forced-recovery starts.
Altering an InnoDB table while in forced-recovery causes this secondary error.
After recovery, missing DDL may require manual recreation.
No. MySQL intentionally blocks writes to prevent further damage. Clear the variable and restart.
Only as long as necessary to recover data. Prolonged use risks data inconsistency.
Changing from non-zero to 0 requires a restart for InnoDB to reinitialize with full crash-recovery and redo logging.
Galaxy highlights server variables in session metadata and alerts you when the instance is read-only, preventing accidental writes that would trigger error 1881.
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