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Description

This error indicates that MySQL cannot find the specified table in the current database context. It typically occurs when an SQL query references a table name that does not exist, is misspelled, or is in a different database.

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Error Message

Table '%s.%s' doesn't exist

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Known Causes

4 known causes

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Incorrect Table Name

The table name specified in your SQL query contains a typo or does not exactly match the actual table name in the database.

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Table Does Not Exist

The table you are trying to access has not been created in the database or has been dropped previously.

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Wrong Database Selected

Your query is being executed in the context of a different database where the target table does not exist.

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Case Sensitivity Mismatch

On some operating systems (like Linux), MySQL table names are case-sensitive, and your query might be using incorrect casing.

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Solutions

5 solutions available

1. Verify Table Name Spelling easy

Check for typos in table name

1

List all tables in current database

SHOW TABLES;

2

Search for similar table names

SHOW TABLES LIKE '%user%';

3

Check table existence

SELECT TABLE_NAME FROM information_schema.TABLES 
WHERE TABLE_SCHEMA = 'your_database' AND TABLE_NAME = 'users';

2. Check Database Context easy

Make sure you're in the right database

1

Check current database

SELECT DATABASE();

2

Switch to correct database

USE correct_database_name;

3

Or use fully qualified table name

SELECT * FROM database_name.table_name;

3. Fix Case Sensitivity Issues medium

Table names may be case-sensitive on Linux

1

Check lower_case_table_names setting

SHOW VARIABLES LIKE 'lower_case_table_names';

2

List tables to see exact case

SHOW TABLES;

3

Use exact case in query

-- If table is 'Users' not 'users':
SELECT * FROM Users;

4. Create Missing Table medium

Create the table if it should exist

1

Create the table with appropriate structure

CREATE TABLE users (
  id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
  email VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
  name VARCHAR(100),
  created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);

2

Or restore from backup if table was dropped

mysql -u username -p database_name < backup.sql

5. Check for Temporary Table Issues medium

Temporary tables only exist in current session

1

Note: Temporary tables are session-specific

-- If created in another session, it won't be visible
CREATE TEMPORARY TABLE temp_results (
  id INT,
  value VARCHAR(100)
);

2

Convert to permanent table if needed

CREATE TABLE permanent_results AS 
SELECT * FROM temp_results;

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MySQL Error 1146: Table Not Found