MySQL · December 20, 2023

How to Fix MySQL Error 1163 - SQLSTATE: 42000 (ER_TABLE_CANT_HANDLE_BLOB) The used table type doesn't support BLOB/TEXT columns

How to Fix MySQL Error 1163 - SQLSTATE: 42000 (ER_TABLE_CANT_HANDLE_BLOB) The used table type doesn't support BLOB/TEXT columns

MySQL is a popular open-source relational database management system used by many websites and applications. However, like any software, it can encounter errors that need to be resolved. One such error is MySQL Error 1163, also known as SQLSTATE: 42000 (ER_TABLE_CANT_HANDLE_BLOB). This error occurs when the table type being used does not support BLOB/TEXT columns. In this article, we will explore the causes of this error and provide solutions to fix it.

Causes of MySQL Error 1163

MySQL Error 1163 occurs when you try to create a table with BLOB/TEXT columns using a table type that does not support them. The most common table types that do not support BLOB/TEXT columns are MyISAM and InnoDB. These table types have certain limitations, and BLOB/TEXT columns are not allowed.

Another possible cause of this error is when you try to alter an existing table by adding BLOB/TEXT columns to it, but the table type does not support them. This can happen if the table was created with a different table type that does not support BLOB/TEXT columns.

How to Fix MySQL Error 1163

There are several ways to fix MySQL Error 1163:

1. Change the Table Type

If you are creating a new table, you can specify a table type that supports BLOB/TEXT columns. The recommended table type for this purpose is InnoDB. InnoDB is a robust and feature-rich table type that supports BLOB/TEXT columns. To create a table with InnoDB table type, use the following syntax:

CREATE TABLE table_name (
    column_name1 data_type,
    column_name2 data_type,
    ...
) ENGINE=InnoDB;

2. Alter the Table Type

If you already have an existing table that does not support BLOB/TEXT columns, you can alter the table type to one that does. To do this, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Backup your database to avoid any data loss.
  2. Export the structure and data of the table using the mysqldump command or any other database management tool.
  3. Drop the existing table.
  4. Create a new table with the desired table type that supports BLOB/TEXT columns.
  5. Import the structure and data back into the new table.

3. Modify the Column Type

If changing the table type is not an option, you can modify the column type to a non-BLOB/TEXT type. This solution is suitable if you don't require the BLOB/TEXT functionality for that particular column. For example, you can change a BLOB column to a VARCHAR column. However, keep in mind that this solution may result in data loss or truncation if the column contains large amounts of data.

4. Use a Different Database Engine

If none of the above solutions work for you, consider using a different database engine that supports BLOB/TEXT columns. For example, you can switch to MariaDB, which is a fork of MySQL and offers additional features and improvements.

Summary

MySQL Error 1163 (SQLSTATE: 42000) occurs when the table type being used does not support BLOB/TEXT columns. This error can be fixed by changing the table type to one that supports BLOB/TEXT columns, altering the table type, modifying the column type, or using a different database engine. If you encounter this error, it is important to understand the cause and choose the appropriate solution to resolve it.

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