MySQL cannot read file metadata because the operating system stat() call failed, usually due to missing files, bad paths, or permission issues.
MySQL Error 13: EE_STAT appears when the server cannot run stat() on a referenced file. Check that the path exists, fix filesystem or permission problems, and restart MySQL to resolve the issue.
Can't get stat of '%s' (OS errno %d - %s)
MySQL throws Error 13, condition EE_STAT, when it calls the operating-system stat() function and the call fails. The server therefore cannot fetch metadata such as size or ownership of the referenced file or directory.
The message prints as: Can't get stat of 'path' (OS errno n - description).
The placeholders show the target path and the low-level error returned by the OS, helping you pinpoint the failing resource.
MySQL aborts the requested statement—often a SELECT, LOAD DATA, or ALTER TABLE—because it cannot confirm file validity. Ignoring the error risks data loss, replication lag, or server startup failure.
Most cases boil down to bad file paths, missing files, revoked permissions, or filesystem corruption.
The OS error code hints at the root problem—ENOENT for not found, EACCES for permission denied, or ESTALE for a stale NFS handle.
First, read the file path in the error. Verify the path exists with ls ‑l on the host. If the path is wrong or the file was deleted, recreate or correct it.
Next, check permissions: the mysqld user must have read access to directories and files.
Use chmod and chown to grant access.
For SELinux or AppArmor hosts, ensure the security profile allows MySQL to access the path. Use setsebool or adjust the profile.
If the OS errno signals I/O or NFS issues, repair the filesystem, remount, or fix the network storage.
SELECT ... INTO OUTFILE fails because the target directory was removed. Recreate the directory and retry.
A replication slave fails to start because the relay-log file path was mistyped in my.cnf.
Update the path and restart the slave.
mysqld --initialize errors when data directory belongs to root. Change ownership to mysql:mysql and re-run the command.
Store data and logs on stable, locally mounted disks. Use absolute paths in configuration files.
Run regular permission audits to ensure mysqld retains read/write rights. Monitor OS logs for filesystem errors and set up alerts.
With Galaxy’s SQL editor, maintain version-controlled configuration snippets.
Team reviews reduce typos that lead to bad paths.
Error 29 (File cannot be opened) occurs when the server opens but cannot read the file. Unlike EE_STAT, stat() succeeds but read() fails. Fix by checking file locks.
Error 28 (No space left on device) indicates full disk. Free space or extend the partition, then retry.
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No. The server simply stops accessing the problematic file. Restore or fix the file and retry.
Ignoring is risky. The relay log may be corrupted, leading to replication gaps. Fix the path and restart the slave.
SELinux may block mysqld from reading non-standard directories. Add the path using semanage or disable SELinux for troubleshooting.
Galaxy centralizes configuration snippets and query files, reducing path typos and enabling quick team reviews before deployment.
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