Title: Database Issues? Last modified: August 20, 2016 --- # Database Issues? * [fattpacman](https://wordpress.org/support/users/fattpacman/) * (@fattpacman) * [13 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/database-issues-5/) * Hey. * So, my WordPress site is having some random issues, and I can’t think what could be causing them. * First of all, a couple of days ago, the wp_users table deleted itself. I’ve managed to recreate it from a backup, and restore all users. * Now however, my whole site is down. I added a user, and when I tried to go back to the dashboard all I can get is this error message: * > ERROR: $table_prefix in wp-config.php can only contain numbers, letters, and > underscores. * Is there anything that can cause this, or how I can fix it? I’ve checked the wp_config.php and everything seems to be in check, and all the tables start with the correct prefix, so I have no idea what’s wrong. * Any ideas? Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total) * [esmi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/esmi/) * (@esmi) * [13 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/database-issues-5/#post-3192656) * > the wp_users table deleted itself. * Database tables simply do not “delete themselves”. Best guess, your database is either damaged or has crashed and been badly restored at some point. Have you spoken to your hosts about it? In your shoes, I’d be suspecting multiple server/host problems. * Thread Starter [fattpacman](https://wordpress.org/support/users/fattpacman/) * (@fattpacman) * [13 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/database-issues-5/#post-3192662) * I’ve just emailed my host to see if they can perform a full systems backup. * I’m also going to look at changing hosts, because I am unsure if this is a problem with the host, or if it could be a hacker? Either way, I’m thinking changing hosts will help if it’s either of these problems. * I’m just hoping that if I/we can diagnose the problem that it can be prevented from happening again. * Thread Starter [fattpacman](https://wordpress.org/support/users/fattpacman/) * (@fattpacman) * [13 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/database-issues-5/#post-3192704) * So, it turns out it’s a hacker. * My index page was changed to redirect to another website. Since fixing this, I now have the original issue with the error. * I have no idea still what’s causing this. * [esmi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/esmi/) * (@esmi) * [13 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/database-issues-5/#post-3192706) * Who are your hosts? * Thread Starter [fattpacman](https://wordpress.org/support/users/fattpacman/) * (@fattpacman) * [13 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/database-issues-5/#post-3192709) * UK Web Solutions Direct * Also, since my last post, I think I’ve found the issue – the Moderation Keys line in the wp_options database have been completely changed to various swear words. * Is there any way I can generate new keys or find the old ones? * [esmi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/esmi/) * (@esmi) * [13 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/database-issues-5/#post-3192710) * > UK Web Solutions Direct * I use them myself. They’re excellent hosts with well-secured servers & good support. So we should be able to rule out a server-wide hack. * > the Moderation Keys line in the wp_options database have been completely changed > to various swear words. * That in itself could be quite innocent. See Settings -> Discussion -> Comment Moderation. I’m guessing that, at some time in the past, you entered some blacklisted words into the text area in that section. * Thread Starter [fattpacman](https://wordpress.org/support/users/fattpacman/) * (@fattpacman) * [13 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/database-issues-5/#post-3192717) * Ah okay, yeah. That makes sense! * So, I can’t see what the problem could be though. With regards to the error message _ERROR: $table\_prefix in wp-config.php can only contain numbers, letters, and underscores._, what should I be looking for in regards to fixing it? * I’m thinking about starting the WordPress from scratch – copying the theme across, and reinstalling plugins and stuff, I don’t know. Is this worth doing? Also, if I do this, how possible would it be to migrate content from A to B? Posts and pages and stuff? We’re looking at building a new site in the future, so ideally I’d like to just get it done quickly and pretty hassle free, because at the moment, I’m just trying to resecure my server – changing passwords, database passwords/ usernames and any other setting that could be used to gain access. Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total) The topic ‘Database Issues?’ is closed to new replies. ## Tags * [prefix](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/prefix/) * [wp-config.php](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/wp-config-php/) * [wp_](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/wp_/) * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/) * 7 replies * 2 participants * Last reply from: [fattpacman](https://wordpress.org/support/users/fattpacman/) * Last activity: [13 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/database-issues-5/#post-3192717) * Status: not resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics