You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'order/**/by/**/1*/#%' OR LOWER(description) LIKE '%-6893&' at line 1 SQL query : SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT p.productID) FROM SS_products p where categoryID>1 and enabled=1 and ( LOWER(name) LIKE '%-6893"/**//*!30697order/**/by/**/1*/#%' /* OR LOWER(product_code ) LIKE '%-6893"/**//*!30697order/**/by/**/1*/#%' OR LOWER(description) LIKE '%-6893"/**//*!30697order/**/by/**/1*/#%' OR LOWER(brief_description) LIKE '%-6893"/**//*!30697order/**/by/**/1*/#%' */)