wp_wfConfig table is becoming too large

Hello @o3internet and thanks for reaching out to us!

I have seen this happen with a certain version of MySQL where it was a known bug that the table expanded at a fast rate like that.

Can you send a diagnostic report to wftest @ wordfence . com? You can find the link to do so at the top of the Wordfence Tools > Diagnostics page. Then click on “Send Report by Email”. Please add your forum username where indicated and respond here after you have sent it.

Thanks!

I have done so.

Your database version looks to be good and your permissions are set correctly.

I am wondering if the tables are corrupt in some way. When you say you reinstall the plugin, are you also removing all the tables along with it?

This would be the correct process you would need to take to reinstall Wordfence and the tables correctly.

You can backup your Wordfence settings via the Export option. Navigate to Wordfence > Tools > Import/Export Options and click Export. You can also take note of the current Whitelisted URLs you have in Wordfence > Firewall > All Firewall Options > Whitelisted URLs as these are NOT included in the Import/Export, and will be lost during the re-install.
Here is what is exported: https://www.wordfence.com/help/tools/import-export/
During the export, you will be given a long string of text. Keep this safe, you’ll need it in a few minutes.

After that, enable the option to Delete Wordfence tables and data on deactivation in All Options > General Wordfence Options. You will want to remember to disable this after you reinstall Wordfence again.

After you enable that option, you can deactivate Wordfence from the Plugins area of your site, then delete it. Next, from the plugins area, search for and re-install Wordfence like normal.

It will be like setting Wordfence up for the first time. You will need to enter an email address, and then go into Tools > Import/Export Options and paste that string of text into the Import Wordfence Options field and click the button there.

The firewall will be in Learning Mode by default for 7 days. I would recommend switching this to Enabled and Protected as soon as possible.

Let me know if this helps!

Thanks!

I am wondering if the tables are corrupt in some way. When you say you reinstall the plugin, are you also removing all the tables along with it?

Correct, I completely deactivated and deleted the plugin, making sure that the option under All Options | General Wordfence Options | Delete Wordfence tables and data on deactivation is selected.

You can backup your Wordfence settings via the Export option.

Yes, I do this, and Import the settings upon re-installation and reactivation.

The firewall will be in Learning Mode by default for 7 days. I would recommend switching this to Enabled and Protected as soon as possible.

I normally let it stay in Learning Mode for a bit longer so it gets more of a snapshot of normal website behavior / traffic – at least one month – could that be a factor?

It shouldn’t but I don’t recommend leaving your site in Learning Mode that long.

https://www.wordfence.com/help/firewall/learning-mode/

Can you send me the error logs that are in Tools > Diagnostics? Mainly the PHP error logs. Send them to wftest @ wordfence . com with your username as the subject line.

Let me know once you have sent them over!

Thanks again!

I just sent it.

Thanks @o3internet

It’s worth trying to optimize table to see if that decreases the size. If so, it’s most likely either a database config issue or a MariaDB bug. (Note that optimize table can take a while to run on some servers, and it’s best to do it off-peak hours in case it makes the site slow.)

If that doesn’t decrease the size, then could you send us an export to look at, but preferably when the table is starting to increase in size but hasn’t gotten too huge yet.

Thanks again!

I have not run an optimize table before – is that a function of WF?
If yes, how do I do it?

I found another support ticket where the person seemed to have the same issue, but it did not show me how to apply the solution – is this related?

https://www.ads-software.com/support/topic/large-wfconfig-table-causing-php-crash/

If you google “Optimize tables in MySQL” you should get some good guides on how to do it.

As for that ticket, that was an issue from around 2 years ago. That shouldn’t be showing up in your Wordfence set up today.

Let me know how the Optimize goes and if it is a long term fix as well. That way we know that the version of MariaDB you are using might have a bug.

Thanks!