The server cannot locate the referenced account in mysql.user, so it aborts the statement with ER_USER_DOES_NOT_EXIST.
MySQL error 3162 ER_USER_DOES_NOT_EXIST appears when a GRANT, ALTER USER, or similar command names a user that the server cannot find. Confirm the correct user@host combination or create the account with CREATE USER, then rerun the statement to resolve the issue.
ER_USER_DOES_NOT_EXIST
MySQL raises error 3162 ER_USER_DOES_NOT_EXIST when a statement refers to an account name that is not present in the mysql.user system table. The message appears during GRANT, REVOKE, ALTER USER, DROP USER, or SET DEFAULT ROLE operations. Because the server cannot locate the user record, it aborts the statement.
The condition was introduced in MySQL 5.7.8 as part of enhanced account management. Earlier versions silently ignored missing accounts, so encountering the error often indicates recent upgrades or tighter permission checks.
The error surfaces immediately after the server parses and validates a DCL statement containing a nonexistent user. It can also appear inside stored procedures, replication events, and automation scripts that manage accounts.
Applications that rebuild accounts during deployment, or scripts that run across multiple environments, are especially prone to referencing users that only exist in some instances.
Leaving the issue unresolved blocks role assignments, prevents privilege changes, and can break automated provisioning pipelines. Production incidents can arise when critical grants fail silently after a deployment.
Correcting the root cause restores secure, predictable permission handling and reduces manual intervention.
Most cases stem from typos in user names or host parts inside the GRANT or ALTER USER command. MySQL treats 'alice'@'%' and 'alice'@'localhost' as different accounts, so omitting the host qualifier often leads to a mismatch.
Database cloning, schema dumps, or replica setups may skip user rows, leaving application roles missing in lower environments. Upgrades from pre-5.7 versions can reveal previously hidden inconsistencies.
First, verify the exact user and host combination using SELECT User, Host FROM mysql.user WHERE User='alice'. If no row returns, create the account with CREATE USER or adjust the host qualifier.
When the account should not exist, remove or rewrite the offending statement. Always re-run FLUSH PRIVILEGES after manual edits to mysql.user tables on legacy installations.
CI/CD pipelines: Parameterize environment-specific user names and ensure each migration script includes an idempotent CREATE USER IF NOT EXISTS clause.
Replication: Replicate account-creation statements or use --include-user-privileges with mysqldump to keep replicas in sync.
Maintain user definitions in version control and apply them with tools such as Liquibase or Flyway. Validate after deployment with automated checks that compare expected accounts to mysql.user.
Adopt consistent host naming conventions. Prefer explicit hosts like 'app'@'%' over relying on defaults.
ER_CANNOT_USER: Triggered when a GRANT references an account without a password.
ER_NONEXISTING_GRANT: Raised when you try to revoke privileges the user never had.
Fix these by ensuring accounts exist, passwords are set, and privilege records match.
Spelling mistakes or wrong case cause MySQL to miss the account.
'alice'@'%' differs from 'alice'@'localhost'. Host mismatch results in error.
Dump or clone processes sometimes skip mysql.user rows, leaving gaps.
Scripts referring to legacy users trigger the error after DROP USER.
Raised when REVOKE or GRANT references non present privileges.
Occurs when an account does not have a required password or host is invalid.
Returned when attempting to use or modify a locked user account.
No, from MySQL 5.7.8 onward the server always stops when the referenced account is absent. Instead make your scripts idempotent with CREATE USER IF NOT EXISTS.
No, manual edits to system tables are risky. Always use CREATE USER, ALTER USER, GRANT, and DROP USER commands to manage accounts.
Environment differences such as host qualifiers or omitted migration steps lead to accounts existing in some instances but not others.
Galaxy's AI completion understands your mysql.user contents and autocompletes valid account names, reducing typos. Collections let teams share verified CREATE USER scripts across environments.
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