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 '%' OR LOWER(description) LIKE '%fly+mlp3084134*//**//**/%' OR LOWER(brief_' at line 1 SQL query : SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT p.productID) FROM SS_products p where categoryID>1 and enabled=1 and ( LOWER(name) LIKE '%fly+mlp3084134*//**//**/%' /* OR LOWER(product_code ) LIKE '%fly+mlp3084134*//**//**/%' OR LOWER(description) LIKE '%fly+mlp3084134*//**//**/%' OR LOWER(brief_description) LIKE '%fly+mlp3084134*//**//**/%' */)