Title: DB error: access_token too long/invalid
Last modified: July 13, 2026

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# DB error: access_token too long/invalid

 *  [metricmedia](https://wordpress.org/support/users/metricmedia/)
 * (@metricmedia)
 * [3 weeks, 4 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/db-error-access_token-too-long-invalid/)
 * I’m seeing this error when accessing the Settings page: WordPress database error:
   Processing the value for the following field failed: access_token. The supplied
   value may be too long or contains invalid data.
 * I have version 6.11.3 of the plugin. MySQL 5.7, WordPress 6.9.4.
 * The access_token column in wp_sbi_sources is varchar(1000). The current stored
   value is 457 characters.
 * Does Instagram Feed 6.11.3 still expect `wp_sbi_sources.access_token` to be `
   VARCHAR(1000)`, or should newer encrypted access tokens use a `TEXT` column?
 * Thanks!

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

 *  Plugin Support [Smash Balloon Louis](https://wordpress.org/support/users/smashballoonlouis/)
 * (@smashballoonlouis)
 * [3 weeks, 3 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/db-error-access_token-too-long-invalid/#post-18964878)
 * Hi [@metricmedia](https://wordpress.org/support/users/metricmedia/),
 * Thank you for contacting us, and for the detailed report! I’ll be happy to help
   with this.
 * To answer your question first: the column type hasn’t changed since 6.11.3. Rather
   than this being a problem with the size of the column, this error is most likely
   caused by an issue that occurred during the encryption of the token that’s stored
   there.
 * The best way to clear that up is to remove and reconnect your source, which stores
   a fresh token:
    1. Go to _WordPress Dashboard > Instagram Feed > Settings_.
    2. Locate your connected source and click the trash/delete icon to remove it.
    3. Click** Save Changes**.
    4. Click **Add Source** and reconnect your Instagram account.
 * Once reconnected, please check whether the error still appears when accessing
   the Settings page.
 * If those steps don’t resolve the issue, could you please submit a ticket on our
   web site [https://smashballoon.com/support/](https://smashballoon.com/support/)
   so that we can investigate this further with you?
 * I hope this helps!
 * Thanks!
   Louis
 *  Thread Starter [metricmedia](https://wordpress.org/support/users/metricmedia/)
 * (@metricmedia)
 * [3 weeks, 3 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/db-error-access_token-too-long-invalid/#post-18965160)
 * The error does still appear in admin. After deleting the source and saving, the
   error continued to appear, as it did after re-adding and saving. I am seeing 
   current posts on our public site, but the last post was made 6 days ago. No error
   message when viewing on the public site.
 * Should I just delete the entry in the db and try again?
 *  Plugin Support [Smash Balloon Louis](https://wordpress.org/support/users/smashballoonlouis/)
 * (@smashballoonlouis)
 * [3 weeks, 3 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/db-error-access_token-too-long-invalid/#post-18965205)
 * Hi [@metricmedia](https://wordpress.org/support/users/metricmedia/),
 * Thank you for the update and sorry to hear those steps did not resolve the issue.
 * Deleting the entry in the database likely wouldn’t cause a problem, but this 
   is essentially what the plugin is doing when you remove the source from within
   the plugin UI. A safer and more complete option would be to full deactivate and
   delete the plugin, and then do a fresh install. This will drop and then recreate
   all the data for the plugin. You would need to reconnect your account and recreate
   any feeds after this.
 * If this does not resolve the issue, if you could please submit a ticket through
   our web site [https://smashballoon.com/support/](https://smashballoon.com/support/),
   we can investigate this more closely to find a solution.
 * Thanks!
   Louis

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

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 * 3 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [Smash Balloon Louis](https://wordpress.org/support/users/smashballoonlouis/)
 * Last activity: [3 weeks, 3 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/db-error-access_token-too-long-invalid/#post-18965205)
 * Status: not resolved