What are “tables to repair”?
Tables can become inconsistent due to abrupt server restarts, storage issues, or plugin crashes. “Tables to repair” are tables that report errors when checked. Repairing attempts to fix index or data inconsistencies so the table can be read and written safely again.
How they affect your database?
Corrupted or inconsistent tables can cause failed queries, missing data in the Dashboard, and errors during backups. Left unresolved, they may lead to further data loss or site instability.
How to clean them?
1. Using Advanced Database Cleaner plugin
In the General Cleanup module of Advanced Database Cleaner plugin,
select “Tables to repair” and run the action. The plugin checks your tables and applies safe repair operations where appropriate.
2. Using a raw SQL query
If you prefer a manual repair, you can run the following SQL command in phpMyAdmin for example:
For MyISAM tables you can use REPAIR TABLE. For InnoDB, consider restoring from backup or using your host’s tools:
-- Check status/messages first
CHECK TABLE wp_options;
-- Repair (mostly for MyISAM)
REPAIR TABLE wp_options;
Note:
Although you can manually execute SQL queries to repair damaged database tables, we strongly recommend using the Advanced Database Cleaner plugin.
The plugin uses WordPress’s built-in repair routines, fully supports multisite environments, and ensures that all broken or crashed tables are repaired safely while preserving your data integrity.
