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A Dokku MySQL container stuck in a restart loop is usually not a Dokku failure by itself: the MySQL process exits, and Docker keeps trying to start it. Capture the first fatal log line before changing configuration, then repair the specific cause. Start with dokku mysql:list, dokku mysql:info <service>, and dokku mysql:logs <service>; use dokku mysql:stop <service> only after preserving the evidence. Do not delete the service volume or reinitialize the data directory until you have a verified export or host-level backup.
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Dokku’s default process policy retries containers that exit with a non-zero status up to 10 times through Docker’s on-failure restart policy. That policy explains the repeated starts, but it cannot repair a bad configuration, damaged data, exhausted storage, or an invalid container option. See the Dokku process-management documentation and the official dokku-mysql command documentation.
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What a Dokku MySQL restart loop means
Docker considers a container unhealthy for lifecycle purposes when its main process exits. Dokku then asks Docker to retry it according to the configured restart policy. You may see the container alternate between Created, Exited, and Restarting in docker ps -a. The visible loop is a symptom; the useful diagnosis is the first MySQL or container-runtime error immediately before the exit.
The default Dokku behavior is documented as follows: “By default, Dokku will automatically restart containers that exit with a non-zero status up to 10 times via the on-failure Docker restart policy.” This is a retry limit, not a health check or repair mechanism. Once the retries are exhausted, the service may remain stopped, making the original error easier to read.
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First-response runbook: collect evidence without risking data
1. Confirm the service name
- List the MySQL services managed by Dokku:
dokku mysql:list - Choose the exact service name used by the affected application. Then record its metadata:
dokku mysql:info <service> - Capture the plugin log stream before making changes:
dokku mysql:logs <service> - Record all related containers, including stopped ones:
docker ps -a - For the MySQL container shown by
docker ps -a, save the relevant inspection output. At minimum, preserve its state, exit code, mounts, image, environment, network attachments, and restart policy:docker inspect <container>
The dokku-mysql plugin documents the service information and log commands, while Dokku’s troubleshooting guidance recommends inspecting Docker state when a service will not stay up. Keep the output in a timestamped file so you can compare it after each change: dokku-mysql documentation and Dokku troubleshooting documentation.
2. Make the loop readable, if necessary
If the container is cycling too quickly, use the captured information first and then stop the service cleanly:
dokku mysql:stop <service>Stopping after evidence collection prevents new attempts from overwriting the useful context. Do not repeatedly issue dokku mysql:restart while the underlying condition is unchanged; each restart only produces another failed attempt.
3. Protect the database before destructive work
If MySQL can still accept connections during one of its brief running periods, create an export with the plugin’s export command:
dokku mysql:export <service> > mysql-backup.sqlCheck that the resulting file is non-empty and readable, and store a copy outside the host before proceeding. Also identify the persistent volume in the saved docker inspect output and take a host-level backup using your normal backup system. An export is especially valuable for logical recovery; a volume backup preserves files for a filesystem-level rollback.
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Never remove a Docker volume, initialize a replacement data directory, or switch image versions as an experiment. Those actions can destroy the only copy of the data or make an otherwise recoverable instance harder to repair. The plugin’s lifecycle commands and export behavior are documented at github.com/dokku/dokku-mysql.
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Once the service is stopped or the log is stable, find the first fatal line in chronological order. Later messages such as “restarting,” “exited,” or a health-check failure usually describe the consequence. Classify the first substantive error into one of the following groups before selecting a fix.
Changed environment or MySQL configuration
A modified custom environment variable, configuration file, or server option can prevent MySQL from parsing its settings or opening a required path. Compare the current service information and container environment with the last known-good deployment. Undo only the changed value that the log identifies, then apply the documented Dokku configuration mechanism rather than editing generated container files by hand.
Be careful with options that affect container creation. A value can look correct in Dokku’s stored configuration but still prevent the container from being created if it is syntactically invalid or incompatible with the image.
Image or image-version change
An upgrade can expose an incompatible data format, removed option, changed default, or required migration. The inspection output shows which image the failed container attempted to run. Compare that image with the previous known-good image and the service’s documented upgrade path. Do not “fix” an image-related error by deleting the data directory; first preserve the export and volume, then roll back or follow the plugin’s upgrade procedure as appropriate.
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Filesystem ownership, permissions, or read-only storage
MySQL must be able to read its data files and write its log, temporary, and recovery files. Errors mentioning permission denial, an unwritable directory, or a read-only filesystem point to the mounted volume or its host filesystem. Verify the mount shown by docker inspect, check host ownership and mode using your normal administrative tools, and correct only the affected path. Avoid broad recursive permission changes that could alter unrelated files.
Insufficient disk space, inodes, or memory
A full filesystem can stop MySQL while it creates temporary files or redo logs; exhausted inodes can produce similar symptoms even when byte-level free space appears available. Memory pressure can cause the kernel or Docker to kill the process, often leaving an exit code and host-level event rather than a detailed MySQL error. Check host disk, inode, and memory conditions before retrying. Free capacity or adjust the host’s resource allocation, then start the unchanged service and inspect fresh logs.
Corrupted InnoDB or other data files
Messages about InnoDB corruption, an invalid log sequence, missing tablespace files, or an inability to open system tables require a recovery plan, not repeated restarts. Keep the original volume untouched, retain the logical export if one exists, and copy the volume before attempting any recovery setting. If MySQL can start in a recovery mode, use that only to extract data and plan a clean rebuild; do not leave a forced recovery setting as the permanent fix without understanding its data-loss implications.
Unavailable network or dependency
A missing network, conflicting network name, or unavailable dependency can prevent the container from reaching required endpoints or can make a health check fail. Compare the network attachments in docker inspect with the service’s Dokku configuration. Correct the network definition or attachment, then recreate the container if the network is applied only during creation.
Invalid Docker options
Dokku exposes Docker-option controls for service containers. An invalid flag, malformed value, unsupported capability, or incompatible mount can make container creation fail before MySQL starts. Review the service’s configured options and remove or correct the one identified by Docker’s error. Dokku explains when Docker options are applied during container phases in its docker-options documentation.
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Apply the smallest matching fix
After classifying the error, change one layer at a time. A useful order is configuration, permissions and storage, resources, networking, and finally image or container recreation. Changing several layers together makes it impossible to know which action fixed the failure and makes rollback harder.
Correct environment or configuration values
Restore the value that worked previously or remove the newly added value if the log shows it is invalid. Re-read dokku mysql:info <service> and the saved inspection output to confirm that the intended value is actually reaching the service. A plain restart may not be enough when the setting is consumed while the container is created; use the plugin’s stop/start lifecycle after verifying the volume.
Repair storage conditions
For permission errors, fix ownership or access on the mounted data and required runtime directories. For capacity errors, reclaim space or expand the filesystem without touching the MySQL volume. If the host filesystem is read-only because of an underlying disk fault, repair that condition first; restarting MySQL cannot make a failed filesystem writable.
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If the first fatal line began after an image change, record the current and previous image identifiers. Preserve both the export and the volume, then use the documented mysql:upgrade path when a migration is required. If the change was accidental and the previous image is known to be compatible, a controlled rollback may be safer than an upgrade. Never combine an image rollback with volume deletion.
Fix network and Docker-option errors
Remove the invalid option or restore the required network definition, then recreate the container if the setting is evaluated only during creation. Keep the data volume attached. Dokku’s plugin command set includes service lifecycle operations, while Docker-option behavior is described separately in the Dokku documentation.
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The right lifecycle command depends on whether the change affects the running process or the container definition.
| Situation | Preferred action | Data and downtime considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Transient process failure; image, mounts, and options are unchanged | dokku mysql:restart <service> |
Graceful service-container restart; retain the existing volume and expect a short outage. |
| Value applied only when the container is created | Use the documented mysql:stop followed by mysql:start path after verifying the volume |
Container recreation may be required; the persistent volume should remain attached, but confirm it before starting. |
| MySQL image or data-format migration | Use the plugin’s documented mysql:upgrade procedure |
Plan downtime and rollback; keep the export and original volume before changing versions. |
| Application restart-policy setting changed | Apply the setting, then run the required Dokku application rebuild | Dokku’s process-management documentation requires a subsequent ps:rebuild for application restart-policy changes; this is separate from repairing a MySQL service. |
The official plugin lists mysql:restart, mysql:stop, mysql:start, and mysql:upgrade among its service commands: dokku-mysql command documentation. The rebuild requirement for application process settings is described at Dokku process management.
Restart the service only after the cause is corrected
- Recheck the saved log and confirm that the identified cause has been addressed.
- Confirm the persistent volume and backup location one more time.
- For a process-only fix, run:
dokku mysql:restart <service> - For a creation-time configuration, stop and start through the plugin’s lifecycle commands:
dokku mysql:stop <service>
dokku mysql:start <service> - Watch the fresh log output and Docker state rather than assuming a zero exit status means the database is usable:
dokku mysql:logs <service>
docker ps -a
If the same first fatal line returns, stop and reassess. A restart loop that survives a restart command is evidence that the cause remains; it is not a reason to increase retries.
Verify that MySQL is actually recovered
Check service state and logs
Run dokku mysql:info <service> and verify that the service remains up while you review new log lines with dokku mysql:logs <service>. Check docker ps -a for a stable running state and a normal restart count. A container that stays running but repeatedly emits errors still needs investigation.
Test a real connection
Use the plugin’s connection command to open a client and execute a harmless read-only query, or enter the container for inspection:
dokku mysql:connect <service>
dokku mysql:enter <service>The connection test confirms more than a running container: it shows that MySQL has completed startup, accepted authentication, and can answer requests.
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Check linked applications
Confirm that each linked application still has the expected generated database URL and can establish a connection. Linking or unlinking a service can restart an application, so schedule that check after the database is stable and watch the application logs for a separate configuration problem. Do not treat an application restart as proof that the MySQL data was lost or restored.
Symptom-to-action troubleshooting branches
| What you observe | Most likely layer | Next safe action |
|---|---|---|
| Logs show a parse error immediately after a configuration change | Custom environment or MySQL configuration | Revert the named value, verify the stored service configuration, then recreate if the value is creation-time. |
| Container exits with a permission-denied or read-only-filesystem message | Volume ownership or host filesystem | Preserve the volume, correct the specific path or filesystem condition, and retry without changing the image. |
| MySQL reports “no space” or the host shows memory pressure | Host resources | Restore disk, inode, or memory headroom; then inspect a fresh startup. |
| Docker rejects a flag, mount, capability, or network during creation | Docker options or network configuration | Remove or correct the invalid setting and use stop/start so the container is recreated with the valid definition. |
| Failure begins immediately after a MySQL image change | Image compatibility or migration | Keep the export and original volume, then follow mysql:upgrade or a controlled rollback. |
| InnoDB reports corruption or missing tablespace files | Data-file integrity | Do not delete or initialize the volume; copy it, use an appropriate recovery plan, and extract data before rebuilding. |
| Container starts but the application cannot connect | Link, generated URL, credentials, or network | Test with mysql:connect, inspect service links and application configuration, and separate database health from application configuration. |
Dokku MySQL command reference
| Command | Purpose | When to use it in a restart incident |
|---|---|---|
dokku mysql:list |
Lists Dokku-managed MySQL services | Identify the exact service before collecting evidence. |
dokku mysql:info <service> |
Shows service metadata and configuration information | Record state, image, links, and settings before a change and after recovery. |
dokku mysql:logs <service> |
Displays service-container logs | Find the first fatal startup line. |
dokku mysql:export <service> |
Exports database contents | Create a logical backup when the server accepts connections. |
dokku mysql:stop <service> |
Stops the service container | Freeze a rapidly cycling service after evidence is captured. |
dokku mysql:start <service> |
Starts the service container | Apply changes that require container recreation. |
dokku mysql:restart <service> |
Gracefully restarts the service container | Use only after correcting a process-level cause. |
dokku mysql:upgrade <service> |
Runs the plugin’s documented upgrade path | Handle an intentional image or MySQL-version migration. |
dokku mysql:connect <service> |
Connects to the database client | Verify authentication and run a harmless query after startup. |
dokku mysql:enter <service> |
Enters the service container | Inspect the runtime environment when a client connection is not enough. |
These commands and their lifecycle behavior are maintained in the official dokku-mysql repository. Command availability and flags can vary with the installed plugin version, so check the command’s help output on the host before using additional options.
Quick Recap
How to prevent the next restart loop
- Keep regular logical exports and host-level volume backups, and periodically verify that both can be read.
- Record the MySQL image identifier, Dokku version, plugin version, custom environment, network attachments, and Docker options before planned changes.
- Test image upgrades on a copy of the service volume before applying them to production data.
- Monitor host disk space, inode usage, memory, and filesystem health; capacity failures often appear first as ordinary MySQL startup errors.
- Change one configuration layer at a time and retain the previous value so rollback is possible.
- Use the service’s documented lifecycle commands instead of manually deleting containers or volumes.
- After maintenance, verify the service with
mysql:info, fresh logs,mysql:connect, and an application-level connection. - Treat the restart policy as a resilience feature, not as a repair strategy. If the process exits, investigate the first fatal line.
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