Title: Cannot restore database from phpMyAdmin export
Last modified: January 7, 2026

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# Cannot restore database from phpMyAdmin export

 *  Resolved [jordan80](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jordan80/)
 * (@jordan80)
 * [3 months, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-restore-database-from-phpmyadmin-export/)
 * Hello.
 * This is a great plugin. I love the “Restore Database from File” feature, as I
   haven’t found it in other backup plugins. However, I can’t restore a database
   from a phpMyAdmin export. I get an error message saying something about some 
   malicious code found in the file, but I’m 100% sure the export is safe and clean.
 * How can I fix this?

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  Plugin Author [Luke Garrison](https://wordpress.org/support/users/lukegarry/)
 * (@lukegarry)
 * [3 months, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-restore-database-from-phpmyadmin-export/#post-18777753)
 * Hello Jordan!
   If you are confident that your database export is safe, the most
   likely cause is that your export is _enclosed in a transaction_.To make your 
   export compatible with Optimal State’s restore system, uncheck the _“Enclose 
   export in a transaction”_ option before downloading an export from phpMyAdmin.
 * Alternatively, you can disable the integrated firewall by selecting the _“🔓 
   Disable Restore Security Checks”_ box located below the database restore section.
   This should allow you to restore your database, even if it is enclosed in a transaction.
 * Please let me know if this works!
 *  Thread Starter [jordan80](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jordan80/)
 * (@jordan80)
 * [3 months, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-restore-database-from-phpmyadmin-export/#post-18777948)
 * _Alternatively, you can disable the integrated firewall by selecting the __“ 
   Disable Restore Security Checks”_ box located below the database restore section.
 * **It worked! Thank you very much!! **
 *  Plugin Author [Luke Garrison](https://wordpress.org/support/users/lukegarry/)
 * (@lukegarry)
 * [2 months, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-restore-database-from-phpmyadmin-export/#post-18809953)
 * Great news for anyone interested in this topic.
 * Starting with version 1.2.1, phpMyAdmin exports will be **100% compatible** with
   Optimal State’s database restore system, both in .sql.gz and simple .sql formats.
 * And vice versa, meaning that backups created by the plugin can be restored through
   phpMyAdmin with no issues at all.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

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## Tags

 * [Database backup](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/database-backup/)
 * [phpmyadmin](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/phpmyadmin/)
 * [sql](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/sql/)

 * 3 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [Luke Garrison](https://wordpress.org/support/users/lukegarry/)
 * Last activity: [2 months, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-restore-database-from-phpmyadmin-export/#post-18809953)
 * Status: resolved