phpmysql error - #1273 - #1273 - Unknown collation: 'utf8mb4_general_ci'

Question

I have just installed PhpMyAdmin v4.1.5 English only

I have set it up to access 2 servers - the local one on my PC and the remote one on my server

All is fine for my local PC but when I log in to my remote server I get the message

Error

MySQL said:

#1273 - Unknown collation: 'utf8mb4_general_ci'

Searching the PhpMyAdmin code finds one reference to this in DatabaseInterface.class.php

        if (PMA_MYSQL_INT_VERSION >  50503) {
            $default_charset = 'utf8mb4';
            $default_collation = 'utf8mb4_general_ci';
        } else {
            $default_charset = 'utf8';
            $default_collation = 'utf8_general_ci';
        }

No idea what this is but it seems to be setting the default charset & collation wrongly

Answer 1

This solution worked for me

1) Click the "Export" tab for the database

2) Click the "Custom" radio button

3) Go the section titled "Format-specific options" and change the dropdown for "Database system or older MySQL server to maximize output compatibility with:" from NONE to MYSQL40.

4) Scroll to the bottom and click "GO".

If it's related to wordpress, more info on why it is happening.