When context is gone, but reference is still in mdl_search_index_requests there is an error on the Search areas page:

Can't find data record in database table context.

More information about this error

error

Error

Debug info: SELECT * FROM {context} WHERE id = ?

[array (

0 => '4940988',

)]

Error code: invalidrecord

error

Error

Stack trace:

line 1654 of /lib/dml/moodle_database.php: dml_missing_record_exception thrown

line 1630 of /lib/dml/moodle_database.php: call to moodle_database->get_record_select()

line 5428 of /lib/accesslib.php: call to moodle_database->get_record()

line 1800 of /search/classes/manager.php: call to context::instance_by_id()

line 249 of /admin/searchareas.php: call to core_search\manager->get_index_requests_info()

Steps to replicate:

0 . Make sure global search is enabled on your site.
1. Stop cron if it's enabled.
2. Create a course with a single assignment activity in it.
3. Navigate to /admin/searchareas.php and request Gradual reindex for assignment activity type.
4. Make sure a new record is added to mdl_search_index_requests
5. Navigate to your course and delete assignment activity created on step 2.
6. Make sure that context record for that activity is gone from mdl_context table.
7. Navigate to /admin/searchareas.php again and scroll down the page.
8. Confirm you see the "Can't find data record in database table context" error

SQL for finding all records:

SELECT sir.* FROM mdl_search_index_requests sir LEFT JOIN mdl_context c ON sir.contextid = c.id AND c.id is NULL;