Fixing Immich Album Sync Errors: Foreign Key Bug

Aug 15, 2025 by Lucas 49 views

[BETA] Albums Fail to Sync with Foreign Key Error in memory_asset_entity Discussion

Hey everyone! We're diving into a particularly tricky issue reported in the Immich app: albums failing to sync due to a foreign key error. This issue surfaces in the memory_asset_entity and has been causing headaches for users since version 1.136.0. Let's break down the problem, explore the details, and see what might be causing this sync hiccup. This issue prevents some images from being marked as synced, leading the app to attempt re-uploads continuously. The root of the problem lies in a SqliteException, specifically a foreign key constraint failure. This error occurs during the insertion of data into the memory_asset_entity table, which links assets to memories within the Immich system. The error message, "FOREIGN KEY constraint failed," indicates that the database is struggling to maintain the relationships between these entities, resulting in sync failures. So, if you've been experiencing syncing issues with your albums in Immich, especially after updating to version 1.136.0 or later, you're not alone. This is a known bug, and we're here to help you understand what's going on and how it might be resolved. Let's dig into the specifics of the error, the affected environments, and the steps to reproduce this frustrating issue.

The Bug: A Deep Dive into the Foreign Key Constraint Failure

The core of this problem is a SqliteException with the error code 787, which manifests as a foreign key constraint failure. This error pops up during the execution of an INSERT statement targeting the memory_asset_entity table. The table's primary function is to link assets (like photos and videos) with memories, creating connections that allow Immich to organize and display your media effectively. The specific statement causing the issue looks like this:

INSERT INTO "memory_asset_entity" ("asset_id", "memory_id") VALUES (?, ?) ON CONFLICT("asset_id", "memory_id") DO NOTHING

This SQL command attempts to insert a new record into the memory_asset_entity table, associating an asset_id with a memory_id. The ON CONFLICT clause is meant to prevent duplicates by doing nothing if a record with the same asset_id and memory_id already exists. However, the FOREIGN KEY constraint failed error indicates that the database is unable to validate the relationship between the asset_id and memory_id. This typically means that either the asset_id or the memory_id being inserted does not exist in the respective parent tables (assets and memories), or there's a mismatch in the data types. The parameters provided in the error log, such as a96e6005-3ae2-458a-908a-319c56d2b460 and 7d7a13da-f7cb-4d96-88c7-b757f4d51e62, are the specific asset_id and memory_id values that triggered the error. This information is crucial for developers to pinpoint the exact assets and memories that are causing the issue and to investigate the underlying data inconsistencies. In essence, the bug reveals a breakdown in the integrity of the database relationships, preventing the Immich app from correctly linking assets to memories. This, in turn, leads to sync failures and the frustrating experience of the app repeatedly trying to upload the same images. The fact that this error persists across multiple versions (1.136.0 and 1.138.0) suggests that the root cause is a bit more complex and requires a thorough examination of the database schema and data synchronization processes.

Affected Environment: Synology Docker, Immich 1.138.0, and Android App

This pesky bug seems to be particularly fond of certain environments. The user who reported the issue is running Immich Server on a Synology Docker instance, which is a common setup for many folks who want to self-host their media libraries. The Immich Server version in question is 1.138.0, and the mobile app version is also 1.138.0. This suggests that the bug isn't isolated to a single version and might be a recurring issue that needs a more fundamental fix. The platform experiencing the issue is the Mobile app, specifically on Android. This means that while the server might be running smoothly, the app is struggling to sync data correctly due to the foreign key constraint failure. Docker-based deployments, like the one on Synology, offer a contained environment for running applications. This makes it easier to manage dependencies and ensure consistency across different systems. However, it also means that any issues within the Docker container, such as database inconsistencies, can directly impact the application's functionality. The combination of Synology Docker, Immich Server 1.138.0, and the Android app suggests a specific environment where this bug is more likely to surface. It's important to note that this doesn't necessarily mean the bug is exclusive to this setup, but it does provide valuable context for developers to focus their debugging efforts. Understanding the affected environment helps narrow down the potential causes of the issue. For example, there might be specific configurations or interactions between the Docker environment, the Immich Server, and the Android app that are triggering the foreign key constraint failure. By identifying the common elements in affected environments, developers can create more targeted fixes and prevent the bug from recurring in the future. So, if you're running a similar setup—Immich on Synology Docker with the Android app—keep an eye out for this issue and consider sharing your experiences to help the Immich team squash this bug for good.

Reproduction Steps: How to Trigger the Sync Failure

Okay, so you're curious about how to make this bug pop up? The steps to reproduce the issue are actually quite straightforward, which is good news for debugging! Here's the recipe for triggering the sync failure in the Immich app:

Open the app: Pretty simple, right? Just launch the Immich mobile app on your Android device.
Let it sync all: This is where the magic happens (or, well, the bug appears). Allow the app to go through its usual synchronization process, uploading and downloading data as needed.
Close the app: Once the sync seems to be complete (or you think it is), close the Immich app.
Open the app again: Now, reopen the app. This is the crucial step that often triggers the bug.
Repeat...: Sometimes, the issue might not surface on the first try. Repeating steps 3 and 4 can increase the likelihood of the foreign key constraint failure occurring.

The key here is the repeated opening and closing of the app after a sync attempt. This suggests that the bug might be related to how the app handles database connections or data synchronization processes during startup and shutdown. The fact that the issue persists across multiple sync attempts indicates that the underlying problem isn't just a one-off glitch but a more systemic issue. By following these steps, you can reliably trigger the bug and provide valuable information to the Immich team for debugging. When reporting the issue, it's helpful to mention that you were able to reproduce it using these steps, as this can help developers focus their efforts and prioritize the fix. So, if you're experiencing sync issues, give these steps a try and see if you can consistently trigger the foreign key constraint failure. Your efforts in reproducing the bug can play a significant role in getting it resolved quickly!

Relevant Log Output: The Error Message in Detail

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and dissect the error message that's causing all this trouble. The relevant log output provides a clear snapshot of what's going wrong under the hood. Here's the error message we're dealing with:

SqliteException(787): while executing statement, FOREIGN KEY constraint failed, constraint failed (code 787)
  Causing statement: INSERT INTO "memory_asset_entity" ("asset_id", "memory_id") VALUES (?, ?) ON CONFLICT("asset_id", "memory_id") DO NOTHING, parameters: a96e6005-3ae2-458a-908a-319c56d2b460, 7d7a13da-f7cb-4d96-88c7-b757f4d51e62

Let's break it down piece by piece:

SqliteException(787): This tells us that the error is a SQLite exception, which means it's related to the database operations. The error code 787 is specific to foreign key constraint failures.
while executing statement, FOREIGN KEY constraint failed, constraint failed (code 787): This is the heart of the problem. It clearly states that a foreign key constraint has failed during the execution of a SQL statement. Foreign key constraints are rules that ensure relationships between tables in a database remain consistent. They prevent actions that would break those relationships, like inserting a record that references a non-existent record in another table.
**`Causing statement: INSERT INTO