Abstract Background Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a novel, minimally invasive technique for the surgical treatment of lumbar diseases. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors of lateral cage migration (LCM) occurred after the first-stage LLIF. Hypothesis The hypothesis was that LCM occurred after the first-stage LLIF was associated with some demographic characteristics, surgical variables and radiographic parameters. Patients and methods Between June 2016 and August 2020, 335 patients (901 levels) underwent staged LLIF were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified into LCM and non-LCM group based on the experience of LCM before the second-stage posterior instrumentation. 100 patients in non-LCM were randomly sampled as a control group. Incidence of LCM was determined; demographic characteristics, surgical variables and radiographic parameters associated with LCM were compared between the LCM and control group. Univariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to identify the risk factors. Results LCM occurred after the first-stage LLIF was found in 19 (5.7%) patients. Bony endplate injury (OR, 106.255; 95% CI, 1.265–8924.765; p = 0.039) and greater preoperative range of motion (ROM) (OR, 2.083, 95% CI, 1.068–4.066, p = 0.031) were high-risk factors for LCM. LCM occurred mainly 3 days later after the first-stage LLIF, while 4 cases experienced severe neural symptoms, intolerable low back pain and finally underwent reoperation. Discussion LCM occurred after the first-stage LLIF was significantly associated with bony endplate injury and greater preoperative ROM. Second-stage posterior fixation should be performed as soon as possible or a supplement lateral fixation/self-locking cage should be used in high-risk patients. Level of Evidence IV.