Error

Error Code: 3640

MySQL Error 3640: Client Feature Incompatibility

📦 MySQL

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Description

MySQL Error 3640, 'The client doesn't support %s', indicates that the client application or connector you are using is attempting to utilize a feature, protocol, or authentication method that it does not support. This typically occurs due to a version mismatch or an unsupported configuration between the client and the MySQL server.

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Error Message

The client doesn't support %s

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Known Causes

3 known causes

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Outdated Client Application

The client application or connector is an older version that lacks support for modern server features, protocols, or authentication methods.

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Incompatible Authentication Method

The MySQL server is configured to use an authentication plugin (e.g., `caching_sha2_password`) that the client application does not understand or support.

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Unsupported Protocol or Feature

The client is attempting to use a specific network protocol, TLS version, or other server feature that its current version does not implement or support.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Update MySQL Client Libraries and Tools easy

Ensure your client-side MySQL software is up-to-date to match server capabilities.

Identify the MySQL client tools you are using (e.g., MySQL Workbench, `mysql` command-line client, application connectors).

Visit the official MySQL downloads page (https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/) and download the latest stable version of the relevant client tools for your operating system.

Uninstall your current client tools and install the newly downloaded versions. For command-line clients, this might involve updating packages using your system's package manager (e.g., `apt`, `yum`, `brew`).

Example for Debian/Ubuntu:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade mysql-client

Example for Red Hat/CentOS:
sudo yum update mysql-community-client

After updating, try connecting to your MySQL server again.

2. Downgrade MySQL Server Version (If Client Cannot Be Updated) medium

If updating the client is not feasible, consider temporarily rolling back the server to a compatible version.

Determine the exact version of your MySQL server.

SELECT VERSION();

Identify the feature indicated by the `%s` placeholder in the error message. This usually points to a specific protocol or feature introduced in a newer MySQL version.

Consult the MySQL documentation for feature compatibility between client and server versions. You may need to find a server version that predates the unsupported feature.

Backup your MySQL server data thoroughly.

mysqldump -u your_user -p --all-databases > backup.sql

Stop the MySQL server service.

sudo systemctl stop mysql

Uninstall the current MySQL server version and install a compatible older version using your system's package manager or by downloading the appropriate binaries.

Example for Debian/Ubuntu (replacing 8.0 with a compatible version like 5.7):
sudo apt remove mysql-server
sudo apt install mysql-server=5.7.x-x

Example for Red Hat/CentOS (replacing 8.0 with a compatible version like 5.7):
sudo yum remove mysql-community-server
sudo yum install mysql-community-server-5.7.x-x

Restart the MySQL server and restore your data from the backup.

sudo systemctl start mysql
mysql -u your_user -p < backup.sql

3. Configure MySQL Server to Disable Specific Features (Use with Caution) advanced

Temporarily disable newer server features that might be causing incompatibility.

Identify the specific feature causing the incompatibility. The `%s` in the error message is crucial here. Common culprits include newer authentication plugins or protocol features.

Locate your MySQL server's configuration file (e.g., `my.cnf` or `my.ini`). The location varies by operating system and installation method.

Backup your MySQL configuration file.

sudo cp /etc/mysql/my.cnf /etc/mysql/my.cnf.bak

Edit the configuration file and add or modify parameters to disable the problematic feature. This is highly dependent on the specific feature. For example, to change the default authentication plugin (if that's the issue):

[mysqld]
default_authentication_plugin=mysql_native_password

Restart the MySQL server for the changes to take effect.

sudo systemctl restart mysql

Test the connection. If the error persists, revert the configuration changes and explore other solutions.

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Related Errors

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