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Fixing the 'Table Doesn't Exist' Database Error in Broken Link Checker

15 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Broken link checker

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If you've encountered a frustrating database error mentioning that a table like wp_blc_links doesn't exist after installing or reinstalling the Broken Link Checker plugin, you're not alone. This is a common issue that prevents the plugin from scanning for broken links. This guide will explain why it happens and walk you through the most effective solutions.

Why This Error Occurs

The Broken Link Checker plugin creates several custom database tables to store its data. The error Database error : Table 'database_name.wp_blc_links' doesn't exist appears when the plugin tries to access one of these tables, but for some reason, the table was not created properly during activation. Based on community reports, this seems to be a bug that can occur with certain versions of the plugin during a clean installation.

How to Fix the Missing Table Error

Solution 1: The Version Rollback (Most Common Fix)

The most frequently reported and successful solution from the community is to install an older, stable version of the plugin first and then update it. This process forces the plugin to create the necessary tables correctly.

  1. Go to your WordPress dashboard and deactivate and then delete the current Broken Link Checker plugin.
  2. Install and activate the WP Rollback plugin.
  3. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins, find Broken Link Checker, and click Rollback.
  4. Select version 1.11.10 from the list and confirm the rollback.
  5. Once version 1.11.10 is installed and activated, check your Tools > Broken Links page. The error should be gone, and the plugin will have created its tables.
  6. Finally, update the Broken Link Checker plugin to the latest version through the WordPress updates page. Your tables and data will be preserved.

Solution 2: Manual Database Cleanup and Reinstall

If the rollback method does not work, the installation might be confused by remnants of previous installations. A manual cleanup can help.

  1. Deactivate and delete the Broken Link Checker plugin from your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Access your website's database via phpMyAdmin (most hosting providers offer this in their control panel).
  3. Locate and delete the following tables. Remember, your table prefix might be different than wp_.
    • wp_blc_filters
    • wp_blc_instances
    • wp_blc_links
    • wp_blc_synch
    Warning: Always create a full backup of your database before making any changes manually.
  4. After deleting the tables, reinstall the Broken Link Checker plugin directly from the WordPress plugin repository.

Important Notes

  • Backups First: Before performing any database operations, ensure you have a recent backup.
  • Not Our Tables: The error message in Thread 10 mentioned tables with _betterlinks in the name. These are not created by Broken Link Checker and are likely from a different plugin.
  • Uninstalling: If you decide to remove the plugin permanently, simply deleting it through WordPress should automatically remove its tables. If they remain (which has been reported), you can safely manually delete the four tables listed above, as they are not used by any other part of WordPress.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the database error and get Broken Link Checker working properly on your site.

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