How Do I Fix MySQL Error #1064? – Easy Guide

Summary: You face MySQL error 1064 when you create a table, make changes to a database, or even delete one in SQL. In general, this error happens when there’s something wrong with the way your SQL query is written. It’s a syntax error, which means MySQL doesn’t understand the command you’ve typed. In this blog, we will show you a simple manual and a professional DRS Solution MySQL Database Recovery Software. They will help you recover your MySQL Database file without any hassle.

What Is MySQL 1064 Error?

MySQL Error #1064 happens when MySQL can’t understand your SQL query. It usually means there’s a syntax error. In other words, something is written incorrectly in the query.
You’ll usually see an error message like this:You’ll usually see an error message

This message often includes a line number and location, which helps you figure out where the problem is.

Why Does SQL Error Code 1064 Occur?

This error appears for many reasons. Here are some common causes:

Causes

Explanations

To begin with, missing or extra keywords

A small typo can cause the error, like writing SELECT * FROM table instead of the correct FROM.

Next, using reserved words

If you name a table or column with words like order, which MySQL already uses for commands.

Then, wrong data types

For instance, inserting text (a string) into a field meant for numbers (an integer) will confuse MySQL and lead to error 1064.

Also, incorrect command format

Using the wrong structure in commands like CREATE TABLE or INSERT INTO can easily cause this error.

In some cases, an old MySQL version

You might be using newer features or syntax that your current version of MySQL doesn’t support.

Finally, importing corrupted SQL files

SQL dump files with broken syntax, missing semicolons, or outdated formatting often cause this error during import.

Manual Method to Fix MySQL Error 1064

There are different methods available to fix the SQL 1064 error manually, such as:

  • Verify the SQL Query
  • Restore SQL Database
  • Rebuild MySQL Table
  • Alternatively, Recovery Query Using Command

Method 01: Carefully Review Your SQL Query

One of the most common reasons behind SQL Error 1064 (42000) is a mistake in your SQL query. This could be due to outdated syntax, missing characters, or even a small typo.

What You Should Do:

  • First of all, go through your SQL query line by line.
  • Check for:
    • Misspelled keywords (like writing SELET instead of SELECT)
    • Incorrect use of quotes
    • Unmatched brackets or commas
    • Wrong table or column names
    • Forgotten semicolons
  • Also, make sure you’re following the syntax rules of your MySQL version. MySQL syntax can change slightly between versions, so if you’re using a newer feature on an older version, it might not work.
  • Once you’ve corrected any syntax issues, try running the query again. If everything is in order, the error should disappear.

Method 02: Restore the Database from a Backup

If MySQL Error 1064 (42000) is caused by problems inside the database, such as corruption, missing entries, or inconsistent data, you can fix it by restoring a working backup. How to perform it:

Step 01: Drop and Recreate the Database

  • Before restoring, you need to delete the faulty database and create a fresh one:create a fresh one

Make sure you’ve backed up your data before dropping the database.

Step 2: Restore the Backup

  • Now, use the mysqldump utility to import your saved .sql file:Now, use the mysqldump utility

When to Use This Method:

This approach works best if:

  • You already have a recent database dump file (e.g., dump.sql)
  • Also, the error is not just about syntax, but is linked to database inconsistencies.

Method 03: Rebuild the Table Using the ALTER TABLE Command

Another possible reason for MySQL Error 1064 is internal corruption or structural damage in a table. When this happens, the server may fail to process an otherwise correct SQL query because it can’t read the table properly. One way to fix this is by rebuilding the table using the ALTER TABLE command.

Steps to Rebuild Table:

  1. Firstly, make sure your MySQL user has the necessary permissions to modify the table. You’ll need ALTER privileges on the target table.
  2. Then, use this command in your MySQL terminal or client:Use this command in your MySQL terminal

This tells MySQL to rebuild the table using the InnoDB storage engine, which often solves internal issues like corruption or formatting problems.

Method 04: Use the myisamchk Command to Recover Table Data

Encounter SQL error 1064 if your table uses the MyISAM storage engine. You might be able to fix the SQL 1064 Error (42000) by recovering the table using the myisamchk utility. Here is how you can perform it:

  1. Firstly, you must stop the MySQL service to avoid conflicts.
  2. After that, run this command to recover the data:run this command to recover the data

Dedicated Software to Fix MySQL Error 1064

If the above manual method fails to recover the MySQL Database file, you can use the MySQL Database Recovery Software. This tool is designed with advanced technology to recover both MyISAM and InnoDB database tables. It is a top-notch utility that maintains the folder structure, integrity, and originality of your SQL database. Moreover, this tool gives you 100% accurate recovery if your MySQL database file is corrupted or damaged. 

Why Use MySQL Database Recovery Software:

  • This tool offers you several advanced features, such as:
  • Recover all MySQL database folders, files, tables, triggers, and more.
  • Offer recovery from database corruption or damage.
  • Save recovered data in SQL databases or as SQL-compatible script files.
  • Fast processing speed and highly compatible with all SQL versions.

How to Fix SQL Error 1064?

  1. Primarily, launch the MySQL Database Recovery Software.

    launch the MySQL Database Recovery


  2. Next, click on Open to add the corrupt file.

    Open to add the corrupt file


  3. Then, browse the MySQL file, and click Open.

    Browse the MySQL file


  4. After that, you can see the recovered file.

    You can see the recovered file



  5. Lastly, choose the Saving Format and click OK.

    Click OK


Important Note: The Demo (Free) version of this tool is available to explore its features and functionality.

Conclusion

MySQL error 1064 stops you from executing the query in the MySQL server. Above, we discussed several reasons to fix it. If the error is generated due to SQL corruption or damage, you can directly use the professional tool. This method is used to resolve MySQL database file corruption without any hassle. Along with that, if you have any queries related to software, feel free to ask. Our 24/7 technical support is available to give you an instant solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why am I getting “ERROR 1064 near…” in my import script?

Ans: This happens when importing SQL files with non‑supported functions (like CURDATE() as default in older versions), missing semicolons, or mismatched syntax. Always check the SQL dump and MySQL version compatibility.

Q2. What if Error 1064 is due to a corrupted database?

Ans: If errors persist after syntax fixes, database corruption could be the issue. In those cases, you can use the DRS MySQL Database Recovery Software. This gives you a quick, secure, and 100% accurate result.

About The Author:

Shivam is a digital marketer and technical content writer at DRS Solution®, specializing in topics like databases, email recovery, and migration solutions. She enjoys researching and crafting content that assists database administrators, businesses, and beginners in resolving various issues related to MS SQL, MySQL, and Microsoft Exchange.

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