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In WordPress, database errors occur during core installation, MySQL queries, and backup routines. Users may encounter errors while querying WordPress databases with a command line interface – such as SQL statements.
In typical scenarios, WordPress users don’t count database errors unless involved in developing, programming, or remotely administrating a WordPress database.
However, this article will explore WordPress database errors and procedures for fixing them.
Fix the Most Common WordPress Database Errors
When fixing WordPress database errors, we must look into the root causes. For example, a WordPress core installation may show a database error due to invalid credentials. Similarly – while managing a WordPress database with a command line, users can face protocol errors.
Let’s address the most common WordPress database errors and learn how to fix them as a beginner.
Error establishing a Database connection
WordPress fails to establish a database connection when credentials in wp-config.php are incorrect.
The wp-config.php file is located in the WordPress root directory on the server. It contains the following information and can cause errors if it contains incorrect information.
- We will use The database name in the WordPress installation setup in the Wizard.
- Database Username: WordPress uses the username WordPress uses to access the WordPress database.
- Database password: The password for the username.
- Database server: The local server of the WordPress installation, which is localhost in most cases.
Let’s confirm if the credentials in the wp-config.php file are correct. The following procedure helps users find, access, and change the WP-Config.PHP file.
Head over to log into Hosting cPanel and locate MySQL Databases, as shown in the screenshot below.
You can obtain WordPress’s database name and username and change your password there. In most cases, localhost is the database server, or you can ask your hosting representative for assistance.
Next, return to Hosting cPanel -> File Manager and edit the wp-config.php file. Here, you need to confirm whether the credentials in wp-config.php are correct.
Note: You can also access the WordPress files via an FTP client. In this case, an FTP Tool like File Zilla helps users access the hosting file manager without logging into the web version. The desktop application of File Zilla helps users access, manage, and change files stored on the Hosting server. Here, you will need to create an FTP account first before using the File Zilla tool. An FTP account is easily created in the Hosting cPanel options and is accessible by logging into the Hosting account. There, once logged in, users can access the Hosting cPanel.
Next, check if the issue has been resolved. If you’ve auto-installed WordPress, you’ll need to ask your Hosting agents for the database name, username, password, and localhost if you’re not confident obtaining them yourself from cPanel options.
If the problem persists, you need to take a different approach to fix the problem.
The following approach helps users load WordPress’ built-in feature to repair database issues.
Add the following code to wp-config.php just before the line says, “That’s all; stop editing! Happy blogging.”
define(‘WP_ALLOW_REPAIR’, true);
Once done, access the following URL in the browser.
http://www.yoursite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php
The URL loads the WordPress database repair Tool. Take action accordingly, and after completion, make sure you’ve removed the code from wp-config.php.
On the other hand, a different approach in cPanel can help. Log into Hosting cPanel options and locate phpMyAdmin. The next page shows a list of databases. Open your site’s database, select all tables, and choose the Repair Table option from the short menu.
Note: WordPress wp-config.PHP is a core file. Changing core files may lead to WordPress errors, maintenance issues, or incompatibilities. Make sure you know what you’re doing. In this case, if you lack WordPress expertise, hire a specialist or WordPress developer for assistance. Don’t change anything independently if you don’t know the context.
WordPress database error: Database is limited
The “Database is Limited” error, as its name suggests, shows the memory limits of the limitations of the WordPress database. Let’s learn how to deal with and fix such issues in WordPress.
If your site’s database is full and you are experiencing admin page crashes in WordPress, you need to look into more details.
The approach to solving such issues is to clean up your site’s database and remove extra garbage from Tables. If the problem persists, look into the debug.log file in cPanel -> File Manager and confirm whether you can see the following error.
WordPress database error: Database is limited
In this case, the problem may persist even if the database’s free space is available. The error is a mix of the WordPress database and the Hosting agent.
In this case – you should ask for assistance from Hosting representatives. Once resolved, you can confirm and see that you don’t need extra precautions.
Note: WordPress plugins used for Database optimization can also help. However, if you’ve never tested such candidates before, avoid making uncertain changes to WordPress. In this case, consulting WordPress specialists helps to avoid uninvited errors.
CREATE Command Denied to User
In WordPress, the Command Denied to User error occurs when a user does not have adequate permissions on a WordPress database.
When the CREATE Command Denied to User error occurs, the straightforward reason is that the specific user has no permission to create Tables or Columns in a WordPress database.
Let’s learn how to solve command-denied errors in a WordPress database.
First, you can check for users’ permissions in the Hosting cPanel. In this case, go to the Hosting cPanel options and locate Database Users under MySQL Databases, as shown in the screenshot below.
On the next page, you can see existing databases, usernames, and user access levels for various databases.
Here, you can choose a user, edit its privileges on a specific database, and save changes. Finally, you’re ready to proceed and confirm that the error has been fixed.
Second, you can proceed to create a new database user instead. Once you have made one, you must update the credentials in the wp-config.php file.
Note: Creating a new user for the WordPress database is not recommended unless you can alter permissions for existing users. Once completed, check if the problem needs more attention.
Error 145
WordPress may result in Error 145 if a table in the database needs repairing. Fortunately, the WordPress database options located in PhpMyAdmin provide a repair tool. Read the following lines for more details on how to deal with such scenarios.
As MySQL powers WordPress sites, repairing WordPress databases with phpMyAdmin is comparatively easy in cPanel options. PhpMyAdmin is a web tool to manage WordPress databases with point-and-click options, more suitable for WordPress beginners. However, this doesn’t mean using PhpMyAdmin is easy and doesn’t cause problems for users. Don’t proceed and make changes if you don’t know what PhpMyAdmin is and how to use it correctly.
Let’s learn to proceed and take precautions to fix Error 145 for the WordPress database.
** To get started, log into your hosting cPanel and locate phpMyAdmin. Remember to back up your site’s database before you perform the repairing routines.
As described above – phpMyAdmin shows a list of existing site databases. To proceed, choose your site’s database, select its Tables, and choose Repair Tables from the menu, as shown in the screenshot below.
If, for example, you need more Technical expertise, ask your Hosting support representative for assistance.
Error 28
While Error 28 comes from MySQL, you can also check if a database repair fixes the problem in WordPress.
An error 28 occurs when no space is available in the /TMP directory on the server. Such scenarios happen when the number of files in /TMP is high, although space is available in the directory.
You can consult your Hosting support channel for more information on fixing error 28.
Unknown Column
A WordPress database may show an Unknown Column error if a column in a WordPress database is missing.
Such errors occur when updating the WordPress core fails. The rule of thumb is that you should manually update the WordPress core again. For more information on how to update WordPress manually, read this detailed tutorial on the WordPress official website.
Alternatively – check if your query syntax has errors while running a database query. In most cases, such scenarios occur when admins need to alter the WordPress database with command-line interfaces.
Final Thoughts
If you know how to handle WordPress manual installation, you can fix WordPress database errors quickly.
When fixing database issues, make sure you’ve taken WordPress backups. If, for example, you need to figure out what you’re doing, don’t bother changing WordPress infrastructure.
In this case, let us help you fix WordPress database errors with one-time support, monthly deals, or WordPress support services.
