Laravel error – SQLSTATE[42S22]: Column not found: 1054 Unknown column (3 solutions)

The Problem

The ‘Unknown column’ error in Laravel results from attempting to interact with a column in your database that doesn’t exist. This error is a common obstacle that many developers face when building and managing Laravel applications. In this tutorial, we will walk through some of the reasons this error occurs and provide actionable solutions to resolve the issue.

Solution 1: Check Migration Files

Try to clarify if the column really exists in the database schema:

1. Open your migration file in the database/migrations directory.
2. Ensure the column in question is spelled correctly and is defined in the table schema.
3. Run the migration using the command php artisan migrate and check if there are any errors.

Example:

public function up()
{
    Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {
        $table->string('new_column');
    });
}

If no errors occur and the migration is successful, re-test the operation that was failing.

Note: It’s essential to double-check spelling and consider case sensitivity in column names. Also, remember that un-run migrations won’t update the database schema.

Solution 2: Clear Cache and Config

Clearing the application cache may solve issues where old configurations are cached:

1. Run php artisan cache:clear to clear the application’s cache.
2. Run php artisan config:clear to clear the configuration cache.

Example:

php artisan cache:clear
php artisan config:clear

Note: When Laravel’s cache is outdated, it may reference old values which can cause this error. Clearing the cache can resolve such issues, but be aware that it should be used with caution on production systems.

Solution 3: Review Eloquent Relationships

Make sure that Eloquent relationships are set up correctly:

1. Open the Eloquent model that accesses the missing column.
2. Verify the relationship functions to ensure they refer to the correct tables and columns.

Example:

class User extends Authenticatable
{
    // Verify the correct table and column are referenced
    public function posts()
    {
        return $this->hasMany(Post::class, 'foreign_key', 'local_key');
    }
}

Note: Incorrect Eloquent relationship definitions can lead to accessing non-existing columns. Always ensure that you have specified the correct associated keys in your model relationships.