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Description

This error indicates that MariaDB failed to delete the files or directories associated with a database during a `DROP DATABASE` operation. It typically occurs when the database server lacks the necessary file system permissions or the files are locked by another process.

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Error Message

Error dropping database (can't delete '%s', errno: %d)

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Known Causes

4 known causes

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Insufficient File System Permissions

The operating system user running the MariaDB server lacks the necessary write or delete permissions for the database's data directory or specific files within it.

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Database Files Locked

One or more files belonging to the database are currently in use or locked by an external process, such as an antivirus scan, backup utility, or another application.

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Read-Only File System

The disk partition or volume where the database files are located is mounted in read-only mode, preventing MariaDB from performing any delete operations.

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Corrupted Storage

The underlying file system or storage volume where the database resides has corruption, making files undeletable by the operating system.

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Solutions

4 solutions available

1. Fix File Permissions medium

Grant MariaDB delete permissions on data directory

1

Check ownership of the database directory

sudo ls -la /var/lib/mysql/database_name/

2

Fix ownership to mysql user

sudo chown -R mysql:mysql /var/lib/mysql/database_name/
sudo chmod -R 750 /var/lib/mysql/database_name/

3

Fix parent directory permissions if needed

sudo chown mysql:mysql /var/lib/mysql/
sudo chmod 750 /var/lib/mysql/

4

Retry the DROP DATABASE command

DROP DATABASE database_name;

2. Release Locked Files medium

Find and stop processes locking database files

1

Find processes using database files (Linux)

sudo lsof +D /var/lib/mysql/database_name/

2

Check for backup processes

ps aux | grep -E 'backup|mysqldump|mariabackup'

3

Stop any interfering processes

# Example: stop a backup process
sudo kill -15 <PID>

4

Disable antivirus scanning on MySQL directory temporarily

# Add /var/lib/mysql to antivirus exclusions
# Then retry DROP DATABASE

3. Manually Remove Database Files advanced

Delete database directory manually when DROP fails

1

Stop MariaDB server first

sudo systemctl stop mariadb

2

Verify the database directory location

ls -la /var/lib/mysql/database_name/

3

Remove the database directory

sudo rm -rf /var/lib/mysql/database_name/

4

Start MariaDB server

sudo systemctl start mariadb

5

Verify database is gone

SHOW DATABASES;

4. Check Filesystem Health medium

Verify filesystem isn't read-only or corrupted

1

Check if filesystem is read-only

mount | grep /var/lib/mysql

2

Remount as read-write if needed

sudo mount -o remount,rw /var/lib/mysql

3

Check filesystem for errors

sudo dmesg | grep -i error
sudo fsck -n /dev/sdX

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MariaDB Error 1009: Cannot Delete Database Files