MySQL raises ER_AUDIT_LOG_JSON_FILTER_PARSING_ERROR when the JSON filter supplied to the audit log plugin cannot be parsed.
ER_AUDIT_LOG_JSON_FILTER_PARSING_ERROR signals that MySQL could not parse the JSON filter given to the audit log plugin. Validate the JSON syntax and ensure the filter follows the audit log grammar, then reapply the statement.
ER_AUDIT_LOG_JSON_FILTER_PARSING_ERROR
MySQL throws ER_AUDIT_LOG_JSON_FILTER_PARSING_ERROR (error 3219, SQLSTATE HY000) when it fails to parse the JSON filter string passed to the audit log plugin. The filter defines which events are logged; any syntax issue blocks the plugin from loading or updating the filter.
The error was introduced in MySQL 5.7.22 alongside enhanced JSON-based filtering. Understanding its cause is critical because the server stops applying the requested logging rules until the filter is corrected.
The error appears during INSTALL PLUGIN, SET GLOBAL audit_log_filter, or audit_log_flush when the supplied JSON text contains invalid syntax, unsupported keys, or mismatched braces. It also surfaces at server startup if audit_log_filter_id references malformed JSON saved in mysql.audit_log_filter.
An invalid filter disables targeted auditing, potentially masking security events or flooding logs with noise. Prompt correction restores reliable compliance logging and avoids unnecessary disk usage.
Malformed JSON such as missing commas, quotes, or braces is the primary trigger. MySQLs JSON parser rejects the filter string and raises error 3219.
Unsupported filter properties or misspelled keys like event_typee instead of event_type also provoke the error because the plugin cannot map them.
Character-set mismatches or hidden control characters pasted into the filter may corrupt the JSON text, causing silent parse failures that surface as this error.
First, copy the JSON filter into an external validator to reveal syntax issues. Correct brackets, commas, and property names until the validator reports valid JSON.
Second, confirm every key is allowed: either filter, rule, rule_id, rule_name, event and so on. Remove or rename unknown keys.
Finally, reapply the corrected filter with SET GLOBAL audit_log_filter.
Scenario: missing closing brace. Solution: add the brace and rerun SET GLOBAL audit_log_filter.
Scenario: extra trailing comma in the last element. Solution: delete the comma and validate.
Scenario: UTF-8 BOM character at the start of the string. Solution: strip the BOM before loading.
Always validate JSON filters in an online linter or IDE before executing them in MySQL.
Store version-controlled filter files and load them with SOURCE to reduce manual typing errors.
Use Galaxy SQL editor which highlights JSON syntax errors inside SQL strings, preventing invalid filters from reaching production.
ER_AUDIT_LOG_FILTER_DOES_NOT_EXISTS - raised when referring to a non-existent filter ID. Create the filter first.
ER_AUDIT_LOG_FILTER_HAS_LOGS - occurs when dropping a filter still in use. Flush or rotate logs, then drop.
Unbalanced braces, missing quotes, or trailing commas break parsing.
Keys outside the documented audit filter grammar make the plugin reject the JSON.
BOM or newline symbols copied from editors corrupt the string.
Supplying UTF-16 text where MySQL expects UTF-8 triggers parse failures.
Raised when referencing a missing filter ID.
Cannot drop a filter still linked to existing logs.
Filter contains a key not supported by the current server version.
No, queries run normally but auditing may be incomplete.
You can uninstall the plugin, but that removes logging and may violate compliance.
Any version 5.7.22 or later that supports JSON audit filters.
Galaxy flags invalid JSON inside SQL strings and offers AI suggestions, reducing filter errors.
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