Title: WordPress database error: [Table &#8216;wp_terms&#8217; doesn&#8217;t exist] (WP 2.3)
Last modified: August 18, 2016

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# WordPress database error: [Table ‘wp_terms’ doesn’t exist] (WP 2.3)

 *  [zelut](https://wordpress.org/support/users/zelut/)
 * (@zelut)
 * [18 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-database-error-table-wp_terms-doesnt-exist-wp-23/)
 * I backed up my database and did the upgrade as normal (generally overwriting 
   the existing files) and I get a *long* list of these errors when I get to the
   upgrade page:
 * WordPress database error: [Table ‘wp_terms’ doesn’t exist]
    INSERT INTO wp_terms(
   term_id, name, slug, term_group) VALUES (‘3’, ‘Development’, ‘development’, ‘
   0’)
 * WordPress database error: [Table ‘wp_term_taxonomy’ doesn’t exist]
    INSERT INTO
   wp_term_taxonomy (term_id, taxonomy, description, parent, count) VALUES (‘3’,‘
   category’, ‘PHP & MySQL Development’, ‘0’, ’38’)
 * I have tried different themes. I have tried dropping the tables, reverting to
   the backup and trying again. I’m not sure what else to try at this point.
 * Also, searching google shows cache of a lot of other sites that had this problem
   but no documentation on how they may have fixed it.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

 *  [MichaelH](https://wordpress.org/support/users/michaelh/)
 * (@michaelh)
 * [18 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-database-error-table-wp_terms-doesnt-exist-wp-23/#post-625888)
 * Try [forcing a database upgrade](http://codex.wordpress.org/FAQ_Installation#How_do_you_force_a_database_upgrade.3F).
 *  Thread Starter [zelut](https://wordpress.org/support/users/zelut/)
 * (@zelut)
 * [18 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-database-error-table-wp_terms-doesnt-exist-wp-23/#post-626188)
 * I tried the forced upgrade as suggested. I get this output during the upgrade:
 * WordPress database error: [Multiple primary key defined]
    ALTER TABLE wp_term_relationships
   ADD PRIMARY KEY (object_id,term_taxonomy_id)
 * WordPress database error: [Table ‘ubuntutu_wrdp1.wp_categories’ doesn’t exist]
   
   SELECT * FROM wp_categories ORDER BY cat_ID
 * WordPress database error: [Table ‘ubuntutu_wrdp1.wp_post2cat’ doesn’t exist]
   
   SELECT * FROM wp_post2cat
 * WordPress database error: [Table ‘ubuntutu_wrdp1.wp_link2cat’ doesn’t exist]
   
   SELECT * FROM wp_link2cat
 * …and the error still persists.
 *  [MichaelH](https://wordpress.org/support/users/michaelh/)
 * (@michaelh)
 * [18 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-database-error-table-wp_terms-doesnt-exist-wp-23/#post-626189)
 * Based on the various threads you’ve got going, I’d suggest starting from the 
   beginning.
 * Restore your database from before the upgrade.
 * Delete the WordPress files, download the 2.3 distribution, reupload the files,
   then do the 2.3 upgrade again.
 *  [MichaelH](https://wordpress.org/support/users/michaelh/)
 * (@michaelh)
 * [18 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-database-error-table-wp_terms-doesnt-exist-wp-23/#post-626190)
 * I should add, DROP your existing database tables, then restore your database.
 *  [sloscheider](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sloscheider/)
 * (@sloscheider)
 * [18 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-database-error-table-wp_terms-doesnt-exist-wp-23/#post-626197)
 * This worked for me – I found it on Osterman’s blog:
    [http://osterman.com/wordpress](http://osterman.com/wordpress)
 * You have to run this setup script to complete the upgrade:
    [http://www.yourwordpresssite.org/wp-admin/upgrade.php](http://www.yourwordpresssite.org/wp-admin/upgrade.php)

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

The topic ‘WordPress database error: [Table ‘wp_terms’ doesn’t exist] (WP 2.3)’ 
is closed to new replies.

## Tags

 * [Failed](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/failed/)
 * [upgrade](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/upgrade/)

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 5 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [sloscheider](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sloscheider/)
 * Last activity: [18 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-database-error-table-wp_terms-doesnt-exist-wp-23/#post-626197)
 * Status: not resolved

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