MySQL blocks a keyring operation because the session user lacks the required privileges (CREATE, ALTER, or SUPER).
ER_KEYRING_ACCESS_DENIED_ERROR appears when MySQL denies a keyring statement due to missing privileges. Grant the needed privilege or run the command as a privileged account to clear the error.
ER_KEYRING_ACCESS_DENIED_ERROR
MySQL raises ER_KEYRING_ACCESS_DENIED_ERROR when a user executes a statement that interacts with the keyring plugin without having the privileges specified by the server. The error appears from version 5.7.21 onward whenever a CREATE, ALTER, INSTALL, UNINSTALL, or rotation statement touches encryption keys.
The server stops the statement immediately to protect encryption material. Fixing the problem is urgent because key management tasks fail, leaving data or backups unencrypted or inaccessible.
The error fires when the current SQL user lacks one or more of CREATE, ALTER, INSTALL PLUGIN, or SUPER privileges that MySQL checks before performing a keyring action. The privilege list is supplied in the %s placeholder of the error text.
It also occurs if the keyring plugin is disabled or running under a restricted account that cannot access the keyring data directory. In cloud environments, managed MySQL services may restrict keyring calls entirely.
The most reliable fix is to grant the explicit privilege displayed in the error message to the account performing the operation, then re-run the statement. Always grant the minimal privilege needed.
If you control the server, you can also run the statement as a privileged administrative account such as root, which already holds SUPER and ALTER privileges.
Creating a keyring file via INSTALL PLUGIN fails - grant INSTALL PLUGIN or execute as root.
Rotating InnoDB tablespace keys with ALTER INSTANCE ROTATE INNODB MASTER KEY fails - grant SUPER privilege or use a privileged account.
Maintain a dedicated DBA role with full key management privileges and execute sensitive operations from that role only.
Automate privilege grants in migration scripts. Galaxy collections let teams store vetted key management scripts so developers reuse the correct GRANT syntax.
ER_PLUGIN_IS_NOT_LOADED - occurs when the keyring plugin is missing; load it before granting privileges.
ER_KEYRING_UDF_KEYRING_SERVICE_ERROR - indicates internal keyring plugin failure; check plugin logs after resolving access issues.
The account lacks CREATE, ALTER, INSTALL PLUGIN, or SUPER privileges demanded by the keyring statement.
The keyring plugin is not loaded, causing MySQL to treat all keyring calls as privileged operations that cannot be satisfied.
Cloud providers may block keyring operations for non-admin users, triggering an access denied response.
The keyring plugin runs as a low-privilege system user that cannot read or write the keyring data file.
Raised when a plugin referenced in a statement is absent or disabled. Load the plugin first.
Indicates an internal keyring plugin failure rather than a privilege problem.
Occurs during login when a user lacks CONNECT privileges or supplies wrong credentials.
From MySQL 8.0.16 you can use the ROLE_ADMIN or specific ALTER INSTANCE privilege instead of global SUPER, reducing risk.
No, keyring operations inherently require privileges. You can avoid the calls, but encryption features may break.
The error only blocks the failing key management statement. Normal SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE queries continue unaffected.
Galaxy lets DBAs store vetted GRANT scripts in shared collections, so developers reuse the correct privileges and avoid ER_KEYRING_ACCESS_DENIED_ERROR.
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