---
slug: /en/sql-reference/statements/system
sidebar_position: 36
sidebar_label: SYSTEM
---

# SYSTEM Statements

## RELOAD EMBEDDED DICTIONARIES

Reload all [Internal dictionaries](../../sql-reference/dictionaries/index.md).
By default, internal dictionaries are disabled.
Always returns `Ok.` regardless of the result of the internal dictionary update.

## RELOAD DICTIONARIES

Reloads all dictionaries that have been successfully loaded before.
By default, dictionaries are loaded lazily (see [dictionaries_lazy_load](../../operations/server-configuration-parameters/settings.md#server_configuration_parameters-dictionaries_lazy_load)), so instead of being loaded automatically at startup, they are initialized on first access through dictGet function or SELECT from tables with ENGINE = Dictionary. The `SYSTEM RELOAD DICTIONARIES` query reloads such dictionaries (LOADED).
Always returns `Ok.` regardless of the result of the dictionary update.

**Syntax**

```sql
SYSTEM RELOAD DICTIONARIES [ON CLUSTER cluster_name]
```

## RELOAD DICTIONARY

Completely reloads a dictionary `dictionary_name`, regardless of the state of the dictionary (LOADED / NOT_LOADED / FAILED).
Always returns `Ok.` regardless of the result of updating the dictionary.

``` sql
SYSTEM RELOAD DICTIONARY [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] dictionary_name
```

The status of the dictionary can be checked by querying the `system.dictionaries` table.

``` sql
SELECT name, status FROM system.dictionaries;
```

## RELOAD MODELS

:::note
This statement and `SYSTEM RELOAD MODEL` merely unload catboost models from the clickhouse-library-bridge. The function `catboostEvaluate()`
loads a model upon first access if it is not loaded yet.
:::

Unloads all CatBoost models.

**Syntax**

```sql
SYSTEM RELOAD MODELS [ON CLUSTER cluster_name]
```

## RELOAD MODEL

Unloads a CatBoost model at `model_path`.

**Syntax**

```sql
SYSTEM RELOAD MODEL [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] <model_path>
```

## RELOAD FUNCTIONS

Reloads all registered [executable user defined functions](../functions/index.md#executable-user-defined-functions) or one of them from a configuration file.

**Syntax**

```sql
RELOAD FUNCTIONS [ON CLUSTER cluster_name]
RELOAD FUNCTION [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] function_name
```

## RELOAD ASYNCHRONOUS METRICS

Re-calculates all [asynchronous metrics](../../operations/system-tables/asynchronous_metrics.md). Since asynchronous metrics are periodically updated based on setting [asynchronous_metrics_update_period_s](../../operations/server-configuration-parameters/settings.md), updating them manually using this statement is typically not necessary.

```sql
RELOAD ASYNCHRONOUS METRICS [ON CLUSTER cluster_name]
```

## DROP DNS CACHE

Clears ClickHouse’s internal DNS cache. Sometimes (for old ClickHouse versions) it is necessary to use this command when changing the infrastructure (changing the IP address of another ClickHouse server or the server used by dictionaries).

For more convenient (automatic) cache management, see disable_internal_dns_cache, dns_cache_max_entries, dns_cache_update_period parameters.

## DROP MARK CACHE

Clears the mark cache.

## DROP REPLICA

Dead replicas of `ReplicatedMergeTree` tables can be dropped using following syntax:

``` sql
SYSTEM DROP REPLICA 'replica_name' FROM TABLE database.table;
SYSTEM DROP REPLICA 'replica_name' FROM DATABASE database;
SYSTEM DROP REPLICA 'replica_name';
SYSTEM DROP REPLICA 'replica_name' FROM ZKPATH '/path/to/table/in/zk';
```

Queries will remove the `ReplicatedMergeTree` replica path in ZooKeeper. It is useful when the replica is dead and its metadata cannot be removed from ZooKeeper by `DROP TABLE` because there is no such table anymore. It will only drop the inactive/stale replica, and it cannot drop local replica, please use `DROP TABLE` for that. `DROP REPLICA` does not drop any tables and does not remove any data or metadata from disk.

The first one removes metadata of `'replica_name'` replica of `database.table` table.
The second one does the same for all replicated tables in the database.
The third one does the same for all replicated tables on the local server.
The fourth one is useful to remove metadata of dead replica when all other replicas of a table were dropped. It requires the table path to be specified explicitly. It must be the same path as was passed to the first argument of `ReplicatedMergeTree` engine on table creation.

## DROP DATABASE REPLICA

Dead replicas of `Replicated` databases can be dropped using following syntax:

``` sql
SYSTEM DROP DATABASE REPLICA 'replica_name' [FROM SHARD 'shard_name'] FROM DATABASE database;
SYSTEM DROP DATABASE REPLICA 'replica_name' [FROM SHARD 'shard_name'];
SYSTEM DROP DATABASE REPLICA 'replica_name' [FROM SHARD 'shard_name'] FROM ZKPATH '/path/to/table/in/zk';
```

Similar to `SYSTEM DROP REPLICA`, but removes the `Replicated` database replica path from ZooKeeper when there's no database to run `DROP DATABASE`. Please note that it does not remove `ReplicatedMergeTree` replicas (so you may need `SYSTEM DROP REPLICA` as well). Shard and replica names are the names that were specified in `Replicated` engine arguments when creating the database. Also, these names can be obtained from `database_shard_name` and `database_replica_name` columns in `system.clusters`. If the `FROM SHARD` clause is missing, then `replica_name` must be a full replica name in `shard_name|replica_name` format.

## DROP UNCOMPRESSED CACHE

Clears the uncompressed data cache.
The uncompressed data cache is enabled/disabled with the query/user/profile-level setting [use_uncompressed_cache](../../operations/settings/settings.md#setting-use_uncompressed_cache).
Its size can be configured using the server-level setting [uncompressed_cache_size](../../operations/server-configuration-parameters/settings.md#server-settings-uncompressed_cache_size).

## DROP COMPILED EXPRESSION CACHE

Clears the compiled expression cache.
The compiled expression cache is enabled/disabled with the query/user/profile-level setting [compile_expressions](../../operations/settings/settings.md#compile-expressions).

## DROP QUERY CACHE

Clears the [query cache](../../operations/query-cache.md).

## DROP FORMAT SCHEMA CACHE {#system-drop-schema-format}

Clears cache for schemas loaded from [format_schema_path](../../operations/server-configuration-parameters/settings.md#server_configuration_parameters-format_schema_path).

Supported formats:

- Protobuf

```sql
SYSTEM DROP FORMAT SCHEMA CACHE [FOR Protobuf]
```

## FLUSH LOGS

Flushes buffered log messages to system tables, e.g. system.query_log. Mainly useful for debugging since most system tables have a default flush interval of 7.5 seconds.
This will also create system tables even if message queue is empty.

```sql
SYSTEM FLUSH LOGS [ON CLUSTER cluster_name]
```

## RELOAD CONFIG

Reloads ClickHouse configuration. Used when configuration is stored in ZooKeeper. Note that `SYSTEM RELOAD CONFIG` does not reload `USER` configuration stored in ZooKeeper, it only reloads `USER` configuration that is stored in `users.xml`.  To reload all `USER` config use `SYSTEM RELOAD USERS`

```sql
SYSTEM RELOAD CONFIG [ON CLUSTER cluster_name]
```

## RELOAD USERS

Reloads all access storages, including: users.xml, local disk access storage, replicated (in ZooKeeper) access storage.

```sql
SYSTEM RELOAD USERS [ON CLUSTER cluster_name]
```

## SHUTDOWN

Normally shuts down ClickHouse (like `service clickhouse-server stop` / `kill {$pid_clickhouse-server}`)

## KILL

Aborts ClickHouse process (like `kill -9 {$ pid_clickhouse-server}`)

## Managing Distributed Tables

ClickHouse can manage [distributed](../../engines/table-engines/special/distributed.md) tables. When a user inserts data into these tables, ClickHouse first creates a queue of the data that should be sent to cluster nodes, then asynchronously sends it. You can manage queue processing with the [STOP DISTRIBUTED SENDS](#stop-distributed-sends), [FLUSH DISTRIBUTED](#flush-distributed), and [START DISTRIBUTED SENDS](#start-distributed-sends) queries. You can also synchronously insert distributed data with the [distributed_foreground_insert](../../operations/settings/settings.md#distributed_foreground_insert) setting.

### STOP DISTRIBUTED SENDS

Disables background data distribution when inserting data into distributed tables.

``` sql
SYSTEM STOP DISTRIBUTED SENDS [db.]<distributed_table_name> [ON CLUSTER cluster_name]
```

### FLUSH DISTRIBUTED

Forces ClickHouse to send data to cluster nodes synchronously. If any nodes are unavailable, ClickHouse throws an exception and stops query execution. You can retry the query until it succeeds, which will happen when all nodes are back online.

You can also override some settings via `SETTINGS` clause, this can be useful to avoid some temporary limitations, like `max_concurrent_queries_for_all_users` or `max_memory_usage`.

``` sql
SYSTEM FLUSH DISTRIBUTED [db.]<distributed_table_name> [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [SETTINGS ...]
```

:::note
Each pending block is stored in disk with settings from the initial INSERT query, so that is why sometimes you may want to override settings.
:::

### START DISTRIBUTED SENDS

Enables background data distribution when inserting data into distributed tables.

``` sql
SYSTEM START DISTRIBUTED SENDS [db.]<distributed_table_name> [ON CLUSTER cluster_name]
```

### STOP LISTEN

Closes the socket and gracefully terminates the existing connections to the server on the specified port with the specified protocol.

However, if the corresponding protocol settings were not specified in the clickhouse-server configuration, this command will have no effect.

```sql
SYSTEM STOP LISTEN [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [QUERIES ALL | QUERIES DEFAULT | QUERIES CUSTOM | TCP | TCP WITH PROXY | TCP SECURE | HTTP | HTTPS | MYSQL | GRPC | POSTGRESQL | PROMETHEUS | CUSTOM 'protocol']
```

- If `CUSTOM 'protocol'` modifier is specified, the custom protocol with the specified name defined in the protocols section of the server configuration will be stopped.
- If `QUERIES ALL [EXCEPT .. [,..]]` modifier is specified, all protocols are stopped, unless specified with `EXCEPT` clause.
- If `QUERIES DEFAULT [EXCEPT .. [,..]]` modifier is specified, all default protocols are stopped, unless specified with `EXCEPT` clause.
- If `QUERIES CUSTOM [EXCEPT .. [,..]]` modifier is specified, all custom protocols are stopped, unless specified with `EXCEPT` clause.

### START LISTEN

Allows new connections to be established on the specified protocols.

However, if the server on the specified port and protocol was not stopped using the SYSTEM STOP LISTEN command, this command will have no effect.

```sql
SYSTEM START LISTEN [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [QUERIES ALL | QUERIES DEFAULT | QUERIES CUSTOM | TCP | TCP WITH PROXY | TCP SECURE | HTTP | HTTPS | MYSQL | GRPC | POSTGRESQL | PROMETHEUS | CUSTOM 'protocol']
```


## Managing MergeTree Tables

ClickHouse can manage background processes in [MergeTree](../../engines/table-engines/mergetree-family/mergetree.md) tables.

### STOP MERGES

Provides possibility to stop background merges for tables in the MergeTree family:

``` sql
SYSTEM STOP MERGES [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [ON VOLUME <volume_name> | [db.]merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

:::note
`DETACH / ATTACH` table will start background merges for the table even in case when merges have been stopped for all MergeTree tables before.
:::

### START MERGES

Provides possibility to start background merges for tables in the MergeTree family:

``` sql
SYSTEM START MERGES [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [ON VOLUME <volume_name> | [db.]merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### STOP TTL MERGES

Provides possibility to stop background delete old data according to [TTL expression](../../engines/table-engines/mergetree-family/mergetree.md#table_engine-mergetree-ttl) for tables in the MergeTree family:
Returns `Ok.` even if table does not exist or table has not MergeTree engine. Returns error when database does not exist:

``` sql
SYSTEM STOP TTL MERGES [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [[db.]merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### START TTL MERGES

Provides possibility to start background delete old data according to [TTL expression](../../engines/table-engines/mergetree-family/mergetree.md#table_engine-mergetree-ttl) for tables in the MergeTree family:
Returns `Ok.` even if table does not exist. Returns error when database does not exist:

``` sql
SYSTEM START TTL MERGES [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [[db.]merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### STOP MOVES

Provides possibility to stop background move data according to [TTL table expression with TO VOLUME or TO DISK clause](../../engines/table-engines/mergetree-family/mergetree.md#mergetree-table-ttl) for tables in the MergeTree family:
Returns `Ok.` even if table does not exist. Returns error when database does not exist:

``` sql
SYSTEM STOP MOVES [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [[db.]merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### START MOVES

Provides possibility to start background move data according to [TTL table expression with TO VOLUME and TO DISK clause](../../engines/table-engines/mergetree-family/mergetree.md#mergetree-table-ttl) for tables in the MergeTree family:
Returns `Ok.` even if table does not exist. Returns error when database does not exist:

``` sql
SYSTEM START MOVES [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [[db.]merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### SYSTEM UNFREEZE {#query_language-system-unfreeze}

Clears freezed backup with the specified name from all the disks. See more about unfreezing separate parts in [ALTER TABLE table_name UNFREEZE WITH NAME ](alter/partition.md#alter_unfreeze-partition)

``` sql
SYSTEM UNFREEZE WITH NAME <backup_name>
```

### WAIT LOADING PARTS

Wait until all asynchronously loading data parts of a table (outdated data parts) will became loaded.

``` sql
SYSTEM WAIT LOADING PARTS [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [db.]merge_tree_family_table_name
```

## Managing ReplicatedMergeTree Tables

ClickHouse can manage background replication related processes in [ReplicatedMergeTree](../../engines/table-engines/mergetree-family/replication.md#table_engines-replication) tables.

### STOP FETCHES

Provides possibility to stop background fetches for inserted parts for tables in the `ReplicatedMergeTree` family:
Always returns `Ok.` regardless of the table engine and even if table or database does not exist.

``` sql
SYSTEM STOP FETCHES [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [[db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### START FETCHES

Provides possibility to start background fetches for inserted parts for tables in the `ReplicatedMergeTree` family:
Always returns `Ok.` regardless of the table engine and even if table or database does not exist.

``` sql
SYSTEM START FETCHES [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [[db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### STOP REPLICATED SENDS

Provides possibility to stop background sends to other replicas in cluster for new inserted parts for tables in the `ReplicatedMergeTree` family:

``` sql
SYSTEM STOP REPLICATED SENDS [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [[db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### START REPLICATED SENDS

Provides possibility to start background sends to other replicas in cluster for new inserted parts for tables in the `ReplicatedMergeTree` family:

``` sql
SYSTEM START REPLICATED SENDS [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [[db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### STOP REPLICATION QUEUES

Provides possibility to stop background fetch tasks from replication queues which stored in Zookeeper for tables in the `ReplicatedMergeTree` family. Possible background tasks types - merges, fetches, mutation, DDL statements with ON CLUSTER clause:

``` sql
SYSTEM STOP REPLICATION QUEUES [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [[db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### START REPLICATION QUEUES

Provides possibility to start background fetch tasks from replication queues which stored in Zookeeper for tables in the `ReplicatedMergeTree` family. Possible background tasks types - merges, fetches, mutation, DDL statements with ON CLUSTER clause:

``` sql
SYSTEM START REPLICATION QUEUES [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [[db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### STOP PULLING REPLICATION LOG

Stops loading new entries from replication log to replication queue in a `ReplicatedMergeTree` table.

``` sql
SYSTEM STOP PULLING REPLICATION LOG [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [[db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### START PULLING REPLICATION LOG

Cancels `SYSTEM STOP PULLING REPLICATION LOG`.

``` sql
SYSTEM START PULLING REPLICATION LOG [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [[db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name]
```

### SYNC REPLICA

Wait until a `ReplicatedMergeTree` table will be synced with other replicas in a cluster, but no more than `receive_timeout` seconds.

``` sql
SYSTEM SYNC REPLICA [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name [STRICT | LIGHTWEIGHT [FROM 'srcReplica1'[, 'srcReplica2'[, ...]]] | PULL]
```

After running this statement the `[db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name` fetches commands from the common replicated log into its own replication queue, and then the query waits till the replica processes all of the fetched commands. The following modifiers are supported:

 - If a `STRICT` modifier was specified then the query waits for the replication queue to become empty. The `STRICT` version may never succeed if new entries constantly appear in the replication queue.
 - If a `LIGHTWEIGHT` modifier was specified then the query waits only for `GET_PART`, `ATTACH_PART`, `DROP_RANGE`, `REPLACE_RANGE` and `DROP_PART` entries to be processed.  
   Additionally, the LIGHTWEIGHT modifier supports an optional FROM 'srcReplicas' clause, where 'srcReplicas' is a comma-separated list of source replica names. This extension allows for more targeted synchronization by focusing only on replication tasks originating from the specified source replicas.
 - If a `PULL` modifier was specified then the query pulls new replication queue entries from ZooKeeper, but does not wait for anything to be processed.

### SYNC DATABASE REPLICA

Waits until the specified [replicated database](https://clickhouse.com/docs/en/engines/database-engines/replicated) applies all schema changes from the DDL queue of that database.

**Syntax**
```sql
SYSTEM SYNC DATABASE REPLICA replicated_database_name;
```

### RESTART REPLICA

Provides possibility to reinitialize Zookeeper session's state for `ReplicatedMergeTree` table, will compare current state with Zookeeper as source of truth and add tasks to Zookeeper queue if needed.
Initialization of replication queue based on ZooKeeper data happens in the same way as for `ATTACH TABLE` statement. For a short time, the table will be unavailable for any operations.

``` sql
SYSTEM RESTART REPLICA [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name
```

### RESTORE REPLICA

Restores a replica if data is [possibly] present but Zookeeper metadata is lost.

Works only on readonly `ReplicatedMergeTree` tables.

One may execute query after:

  - ZooKeeper root `/` loss.
  - Replicas path `/replicas` loss.
  - Individual replica path `/replicas/replica_name/` loss.

Replica attaches locally found parts and sends info about them to Zookeeper.
Parts present on a replica before metadata loss are not re-fetched from other ones if not being outdated (so replica restoration does not mean re-downloading all data over the network).

:::note
Parts in all states are moved to `detached/` folder. Parts active before data loss (committed) are attached.
:::

**Syntax**

```sql
SYSTEM RESTORE REPLICA [db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name [ON CLUSTER cluster_name]
```

Alternative syntax:

```sql
SYSTEM RESTORE REPLICA [ON CLUSTER cluster_name] [db.]replicated_merge_tree_family_table_name
```

**Example**

Creating a table on multiple servers. After the replica's metadata in ZooKeeper is lost, the table will attach as read-only as metadata is missing. The last query needs to execute on every replica.

```sql
CREATE TABLE test(n UInt32)
ENGINE = ReplicatedMergeTree('/clickhouse/tables/test/', '{replica}')
ORDER BY n PARTITION BY n % 10;

INSERT INTO test SELECT * FROM numbers(1000);

-- zookeeper_delete_path("/clickhouse/tables/test", recursive=True) <- root loss.

SYSTEM RESTART REPLICA test;
SYSTEM RESTORE REPLICA test;
```

Another way:

```sql
SYSTEM RESTORE REPLICA test ON CLUSTER cluster;
```

### RESTART REPLICAS

Provides possibility to reinitialize Zookeeper sessions state for all `ReplicatedMergeTree` tables, will compare current state with Zookeeper as source of true and add tasks to Zookeeper queue if needed

### DROP FILESYSTEM CACHE

Allows to drop filesystem cache.

```sql
SYSTEM DROP FILESYSTEM CACHE [ON CLUSTER cluster_name]
```

### SYNC FILE CACHE

:::note
It's too heavy and has potential for misuse.
:::

Will do sync syscall.

```sql
SYSTEM SYNC FILE CACHE [ON CLUSTER cluster_name]
```

### UNLOAD PRIMARY KEY

Unload the primary keys for the given table or for all tables.

```sql
SYSTEM UNLOAD PRIMARY KEY [db.]name
```

```sql
SYSTEM UNLOAD PRIMARY KEY
```

## Managing Refreshable Materialized Views {#refreshable-materialized-views}

Commands to control background tasks performed by [Refreshable Materialized Views](../../sql-reference/statements/create/view.md#refreshable-materialized-view)

Keep an eye on [`system.view_refreshes`](../../operations/system-tables/view_refreshes.md) while using them.

### REFRESH VIEW

Trigger an immediate out-of-schedule refresh of a given view.

```sql
SYSTEM REFRESH VIEW [db.]name
```

### STOP VIEW, STOP VIEWS

Disable periodic refreshing of the given view or all refreshable views. If a refresh is in progress, cancel it too.

```sql
SYSTEM STOP VIEW [db.]name
```
```sql
SYSTEM STOP VIEWS
```

### START VIEW, START VIEWS

Enable periodic refreshing for the given view or all refreshable views. No immediate refresh is triggered.

```sql
SYSTEM START VIEW [db.]name
```
```sql
SYSTEM START VIEWS
```

### CANCEL VIEW

If there's a refresh in progress for the given view, interrupt and cancel it. Otherwise do nothing.

```sql
SYSTEM CANCEL VIEW [db.]name
```