📋

Description

This error indicates that MySQL was unable to remove a specified database object, such as a stored procedure, function, view, or event. It typically occurs when the object does not exist, the user lacks necessary permissions, or there's an issue with the `DROP` statement itself.

💬

Error Message

Failed to DROP %s %s

🔍

Known Causes

3 known causes

⚠️

Object Not Found

The database object (e.g., procedure, function) you attempted to drop does not exist in the specified database or schema.

⚠️

Permission Denied

The MySQL user account executing the `DROP` command lacks the necessary privileges (e.g., `DROP` privilege) for the specific object or database.

⚠️

Invalid Object Reference

There might be a typo in the object's name or the `DROP` statement is attempting to drop an object of an incorrect type (e.g., trying to `DROP PROCEDURE` for a function).

🛠️

Solutions

4 solutions available

1. Verify Object Existence and Permissions easy

Ensure the object exists and you have the necessary privileges to drop it.

1

Connect to your MySQL server using a client like `mysql` or MySQL Workbench.

2

Verify the existence of the object you are trying to drop. Replace `object_type` with `TABLE`, `DATABASE`, `PROCEDURE`, `FUNCTION`, `VIEW`, `TRIGGER`, or `EVENT`, and `object_name` with the actual name of the object.

SHOW CREATE object_type object_name;
-- OR for databases:
SHOW DATABASES LIKE 'database_name';
-- OR for tables:
SHOW TABLES LIKE 'table_name';

3

Check if the user you are currently logged in as has the `DROP` privilege for the object. If you are trying to drop a table, you need `DROP` privilege on the table or `ALTER` privilege on the database. For databases, you need `DROP` privilege.

SHOW GRANTS FOR CURRENT_USER();

4

If the object does not exist, you will receive an error indicating that. If you lack permissions, you will need to request them from a user with `GRANT OPTION` or `SUPER` privilege.

2. Check for Active Connections or Locks medium

An active connection or a lock on the object can prevent it from being dropped.

1

Identify any active connections that might be using the object you're trying to drop.

SHOW PROCESSLIST;

2

Examine the `State` column in the process list. If any processes are in states like `Locked`, `Waiting for table metadata lock`, or similar, they might be holding a lock on the object.

3

If you identify a problematic connection, you can try to terminate it. **Caution:** This can disrupt ongoing operations. Ensure you understand the impact before proceeding.

KILL connection_id;
-- Replace connection_id with the ID from SHOW PROCESSLIST.

4

If you suspect a persistent lock that cannot be easily identified or terminated, consider restarting the MySQL server. This will clear all active connections and locks.

3. Address Foreign Key Constraints medium

Foreign key constraints referencing the table you are trying to drop can cause this error.

1

If you are trying to drop a table, check if any other tables have foreign key constraints that reference it.

SELECT TABLE_NAME, CONSTRAINT_NAME FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.KEY_COLUMN_USAGE WHERE REFERENCED_TABLE_NAME = 'table_to_drop' AND REFERENCED_TABLE_SCHEMA = 'your_database_name';

2

For each identified foreign key constraint, you have two options:

3

Option 1: Temporarily disable foreign key checks, drop the table, and then re-enable foreign key checks.

SET FOREIGN_KEY_CHECKS = 0;
DROP TABLE table_to_drop;
SET FOREIGN_KEY_CHECKS = 1;

4

Option 2: Drop the referencing foreign key constraints first, then drop the table.

ALTER TABLE referencing_table_name DROP FOREIGN KEY constraint_name;
DROP TABLE table_to_drop;

4. Restart the MySQL Server (Last Resort) easy

A server restart can resolve transient issues preventing object drops.

1

This is a more drastic measure and should be used if other solutions fail or if the issue is suspected to be a more general server problem.

2

Gracefully stop the MySQL server. The command varies depending on your operating system and installation method.

# For systemd-based systems (e.g., Ubuntu 15.04+, CentOS 7+):
sudo systemctl stop mysql

# For init.d-based systems (e.g., older Ubuntu/Debian, CentOS 6):
sudo service mysql stop

# On Windows (using Services GUI or command line):
# Open Services.msc, find MySQL, and click Stop.
# Or: net stop MySQL

3

Wait for the server to completely shut down. You can check the MySQL error log for confirmation.

4

Start the MySQL server again.

# For systemd-based systems:
sudo systemctl start mysql

# For init.d-based systems:
sudo service mysql start

# On Windows:
# net start MySQL

5

Once the server is running, attempt to drop the object again.

🔗

Related Errors

5 related errors

MySQL Error 1306: Object Drop Failure