ORA-00600: Internal Error Code – Causes and Solutions

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Introduction

Oracle Database is a strong and reliable system, but it can sometimes face internal errors like ORA-00600 that interrupt operations. Unlike typical SQL errors, ORA-00600 shows a problem within the Oracle Database engine. This error usually comes with parameters that help pinpoint the issue. In this blog, we will discuss ORA-00600 through six main points: its causes, how to analyze it, checking alert logs, using trace files, common fixes, and when to reach out to Oracle Support.

1. Understanding ORA-00600 and Its Causes

ORA-00600: Internal Error Code happens when Oracle finds an unexpected problem. This error message often includes extra details, such as:

ORA-00600: internal error code, arguments: [kdsgrp1], [2], [113], [], [], [], [], []

Some common causes include:

  • Corrupt database blocks
  • Bug in Oracle software
  • Inconsistent data dictionary state
  • Issues with undo/redo segments
  • Hardware or memory issues

Oracle recommends checking logs and trace files to find the cause of this internal error.

2. Analyzing ORA-00600 Parameters

Each ORA-00600 error has parameters that assist in diagnosing the issue. The first parameter ([kdsgrp1]) typically shows where the error occurred in the Oracle code, while the others provide specific context.

Steps to analyze:

  1. Identify the first argument – This often points to the error location.
  2. Check Oracle’s official documentation – Oracle provides bug databases where known ORA-00600 errors are documented.
  3. Use Oracle Support’s ORA-600 Lookup Tool – If you have access to Oracle Support, use their tool to check if it’s a known issue.

3. Checking Alert Logs for More Details

Whenever an ORA-00600 error occurs, Oracle logs the event in the alert.log file. To locate the log:

SELECT value FROM v$diag_info WHERE name = 'Diag Trace';

Once inside the trace directory, open alert.log and look for entries related to ORA-00600. Example:

Errors in file /u01/app/oracle/diag/rdbms/orcl/trace/orcl_ora_12345.trc:
ORA-00600: internal error code, arguments: [kdsgrp1], [2], [113], [], [], [], [], []

This file contains important diagnostic details such as which SQL query or process triggered the error.

4. Using Trace Files for Deeper Analysis

Along with alert.log, Oracle generates trace files in the trace directory. These files contain stack traces and memory dumps.

Steps to use trace files:

  1. Locate the trace file path in alert.log
  2. Open the trace file using a text editor
  3. Look for SQL statements, object names, or memory issues
  4. Use Oracle’s dbms_support package to gather session traces

Example command to enable tracing for a session:

ALTER SESSION SET EVENTS '600 trace name errorstack level 3';

This captures detailed debugging information about the error.

5. Common Solutions to Fix ORA-00600

Since ORA-00600 can be caused by multiple factors, try these solutions based on the suspected root cause:

1. Check for Corrupt Data Blocks

SELECT * FROM v$database_block_corruption;

If corruption is found, use RMAN to recover:

RMAN> RECOVER BLOCK DATAFILE <file_id> BLOCK <block_id>;

2. Validate and Fix Data Dictionary Issues

EXEC DBMS_STATS.GATHER_DICTIONARY_STATS;

3. Increase Undo Tablespace (If Undo Issues Exist)

ALTER DATABASE DATAFILE '/u01/oradata/undotbs01.dbf' RESIZE 2G;

4. Apply Latest Oracle Patch (If Bug-Related)

Check Oracle’s Patch documentation and apply updates using OPatch:

$ opatch apply

5. Restart Database and Flush Memory (If Memory Issues Suspected)

SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE;
STARTUP;
ALTER SYSTEM FLUSH SHARED_POOL;

6. When to Contact Oracle Support

If the issue persists after performing diagnostics and fixes, escalate the issue to Oracle Support.

What to include in the support ticket:

  • Error message & parameters
  • alert.log & relevant trace files
  • Database version (SELECT * FROM v$version;)
  • Recent changes or updates applied
  • Steps to reproduce the error (if applicable)

Use My Oracle Support (MOS) to open a service request (SR) and upload diagnostic data.

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