Deployed n8n v1.51.2 on a cloud SQL setup; an error occurs because the ‘migrations’ table already exists. Why are migrations triggered, and under what conditions?
In my experience, the issue arises when n8n detects a mismatch between its expected schema and the state of an existing database. When switching database setups, if the connection details or environment variables are inconsistent with what was previously configured, n8n may attempt to run migrations to align its internal state. I encountered this when moving from one cloud SQL instance to another, and the solution involved carefully synchronizing the migration history and confirming that the database configuration fully reflects the current environment before restarting n8n. This ensures that migrations do not trigger unnecessarily.
In my experience, migration errors such as these often arise when the database state is partially carried over from previous deployments. I encountered a similar scenario after switching environments where the presence of legacy tables confused the setup process. The root was a discrepancy between the stored migration history and what the new instance expected. A method that worked for me was to ensure complete alignment of environment configurations and to review the migration logs closely. Making sure that any residual schema information is accounted for or removed can effectively prevent erroneous migration attempts.
hey, i’ve seen this too. i think its due to some residue from old schemas causing conflicts. double-check your config and maybe device a fresh db setup or purge old tables if possible. sometimes starting from a clear state does the trick, esp if you’re switching setups.