MySQL raises ER_DISABLED_STORAGE_ENGINE (error 3161, SQLSTATE HY000) when a statement tries to use a storage engine that is currently listed in the disabled_storage_engines system variable.
ER_DISABLED_STORAGE_ENGINE means MySQL has blocked the requested storage engine because it is listed in disabled_storage_engines. Remove the engine from that variable or pick a supported engine to resolve the error.
ER_DISABLED_STORAGE_ENGINE
MySQL throws ER_DISABLED_STORAGE_ENGINE when a CREATE TABLE, ALTER TABLE, or CREATE TABLESPACE statement references a storage engine that the server administrator has disabled through the disabled_storage_engines system variable.
The error halts the statement to protect data integrity and keep unapproved engines out of use. It first appeared in MySQL 5.7.8 and remains relevant in every later major version, including MySQL 8.0.
The error fires whenever the requested engine name matches any value in disabled_storage_engines. This variable can be set in my.cnf or changed at runtime by a user with SUPER privilege.
Common triggers include server hardening, cloud-managed MySQL defaults that ban deprecated engines, and automated migration scripts still referencing old engines like MyISAM.
Choose a different engine such as InnoDB or remove the target engine from disabled_storage_engines. After editing my.cnf, restart the server to apply the new configuration.
At runtime, set disabled_storage_engines='' to clear the block, or set it to a comma-separated list that omits the engine you need. Ensure you have adequate privileges before changing global variables.
Legacy dumps may specify ENGINE=MyISAM. Replace that clause with ENGINE=InnoDB before loading the dump, or temporarily allow MyISAM only during the import window.
Schema migration tools sometimes default to MEMORY. If MEMORY is disabled for reliability reasons, adjust the tool’s configuration or override the engine for each generated table.
Standardize on a supported engine, typically InnoDB, and enforce it through code reviews and CI pipelines. Audit your DDL for explicit ENGINE clauses before deployment.
Document any engine restrictions in your Galaxy Collections so teammates receive instant AI copilot hints and autocomplete suggestions that align with server policy.
ER_UNKNOWN_STORAGE_ENGINE arises when MySQL does not recognize the engine at all, whereas ER_DISABLED_STORAGE_ENGINE occurs when MySQL knows the engine but has intentionally disabled it.
ER_ILLEGAL_HA is returned if an engine is compiled out of the server. The fix involves recompiling with the engine enabled or switching to InnoDB.
The my.cnf file lists the engine in disabled_storage_engines, so every new session inherits the restriction.
An administrator executed SET GLOBAL disabled_storage_engines, instantly blocking further use of the engine without restarting MySQL.
Managed MySQL services often disable MEMORY or MyISAM for durability, triggering the error on CREATE TABLE statements that target those engines.
Automated security tools append engines to disabled_storage_engines to reduce attack surface, breaking legacy deployment scripts.
MySQL does not recognize the named engine at all. Install the plugin or use a valid engine.
The engine is compiled out of the server. Rebuild MySQL with the engine or switch to InnoDB.
User lacks privileges to create or alter the table even with a valid engine.
Yes. Set disabled_storage_engines to a comma-separated list like MyISAM,MEMORY to block just those engines while allowing others.
No. The variable blocks new CREATE or ALTER statements. Existing tables continue to operate with their current engine.
Negligible. MySQL merely checks the list during engine resolution. There is no runtime overhead on query execution.
Galaxy’s AI copilot auto-suggests compliant engines based on live server metadata, reducing the chance of writing DDL that references disabled engines.
.avif)
.avif){kind=logo}
