Over time, database tables can build up wasted space, and occasionally a table gets marked as crashed after a server or app problem. phpMyAdmin can check, optimise and repair tables. You don't need to do this routinely; use it when a table reports an error or a large clean-up has left space unused.
Check, optimise or repair tables
- Export a copy of the database first (see import and export a database).
- Log in to cPanel and go to Databases › phpMyAdmin.
- Click your database in the left-hand list so its tables are shown.
- Tick Check all at the bottom of the list, or tick just the tables you want.
- From the With selected menu, choose one of:
- Check table to look for errors without changing anything. Start here.
- Optimize table to reclaim unused space and tidy the table's storage.
- Repair table to fix a table that's reported as crashed or corrupt.
- phpMyAdmin shows a result for each table. OK means all is well.
MyISAM and InnoDB tables
The Type column shows each table's storage engine, and it affects what you'll see:
- InnoDB (used by modern WordPress and most current apps) looks after itself and doesn't support Repair table; you'll see a message saying so, which is normal. Optimising an InnoDB table may report "doing recreate + analyze instead", which is also normal and means it worked.
- MyISAM (common in older apps) is the type that can be marked as crashed, and Repair table is designed for it.
If an InnoDB table reports errors that a check doesn't clear, open a support ticket with the database and table name rather than trying further fixes.
WordPress alternatives
- WordPress has a built-in repair page. Add
define( 'WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true );towp-config.php, visithttps://example.co.uk/wp-admin/maint/repair.php, run the repair, then remove the line again (the page works without logging in while it's enabled). - A database clean-up plugin can remove old revisions, spam comments and expired data, then optimise the tables for you. Take a backup before running one.
