02 Different Ways to Repair a Corrupt SQL Database

Summary: Microsoft SQL Server is one leading database technology in corporate IT environments. It offers many features, such as transaction processing, business intelligence, analytics applications, etc. It’s a database program, and it also creates a database file like every other database program. However, like other database files, it is also possible that the MDF (SQL database) file is prone to corruption. It isn’t very pleasant, but a fact. There are various reasons which may cause severe issues in your SQL database files and result in corruption or damage of SQL database files. In this post, we’ll talk about SQL database corruption and how to repair a corrupt SQL database file manually. Instead, you can also use the Aryson SQL Database Recovery Tool if you won’t be able to repair corrupt SQL Server database files using manual techniques.download   buy

A Brief Introduction to SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server is the most popular relational database management system (RDBMS) provided by Microsoft and works as a database server. Its primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications running on the same computer or other computers across a network. Microsoft released 10 versions of SQL Server between 1996 and 2019; the latest version is MS SQL Server 2019.

Benefits of Using SQL Server Database

SQL Server best suits your needs if you’re looking for a stable, fast, affordable database engine. The main reason why Microsoft SQL Server is so popular among developers and virtualized administrators is just that it’s easy to use. When you’re working on an SQL project, the task of development and troubleshooting becomes challenging and tedious. Thankfully Microsoft SQL has some useful built-in tools like SQL Server Profiler, SQL Server Management Studio, BI tools, and Database Engine Tuning Advisor.

Types of Files in Microsoft SQL Database

Microsoft SQL Server stores all your data in a database file, called SQL database. Generally, SQL Server creates two types of database files: MDB and NDF. MDF is the primary database, whereas NDF is the secondary database.

  • MDF, the primary database: The SQL database file saved with the MDF extension contains users’ data and objects, which include indices, columns, views, functions, values, tables, keys, stored procedures, triggers, default values, etc. The startup information for the database is also stored in the MDF file. In MS SQL Server, each database has one primary MDF file.
  • NDF, the secondary database: The database file saved with the NDF extension in MS SQL Server is called the secondary database. Like an MDF file, it can also store user data. But its primary function is to spread data across multiple disks. You can create as many NDF files as you want.
  • LDF or log file:- Its primary function is to work as a SQL database backup. By using LDF or log file, you can successfully restore the SQL database during data loss due to accidental deletion or corruption. Every database has at least one log file (.ldf) containing the log information.

Reason Behind the SQL Database Corruption

Being a database program, Microsoft SQL Server is not immune to severe issues which lead to corruption. SQL Server corruption is no less than a nightmare for SQL administrators. It can cause serious data loss, which is unaffordable for any organization. I’m listing a few common reasons below for SQL Server corruption:

  • Internal bugs in Microsoft SQL Server.
  • Virus attacks on SQL database.
  • Network failure when the SQL database file is in working mode.
  • Accidental data deletion from the SQL database.
  • Adding invalid content to the SQL database.
  • Using compressed folders to store SQL databases.
  • Software malfunction and collision with other installed applications.
  • Storage media failure or crash where SQL database files are stored.
  • Abrupt system shutdown due to power failure or forceful cancellation.
  • Corruption in the header part of the SQL database.

Whenever SQL Server corruption takes place, the SQL database becomes inaccessible. You can’t open a corrupt SQL database. If you have a valid backup, you can restore the SQL database from it. You can even use the log file (LOG) to restore the SQL database. But the situation becomes quite challenging if you don’t have any backup.

02 Methods to Repair a Corrupt SQL Database

These are a few manual methods to repair corrupt SQL databases, but they do not guarantee full database recovery. Use this method according to your requirement unless; you can also use the third-party solution to repair SQL database files.

Method 1: Repair Corrupt SQL Server Database Using SSMA

The only possible way to repair a corrupt SQL database is using the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. You need to use several database console commands (DBCC): DBCC CHECKDB and DBCC DBREPAIR. Below are the steps you need to follow:

Note: Before starting the process to restore SQL Database Objects, remember that the trick I’m sharing here can only fix minor corruption issues. In case of severe corruption, it may fail or not work.

  1. First, launch Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio on your system. Make sure the corrupt SQL database is not opened anywhere.
  2. Go to the toolbar. There you can see a New Query button. Click it to go to a new query page.
  3. On the new query page, you need to write the SQL scripts (shown below). But don’t forget to replace the text YourDatabase with the original name of your database file.EXEC sp_resetstatus [YourDatabase];

    ALTER DATABASE [YourDatabase] SET EMERGENCY

    DBCC checkdb ([YourDatabase])

    ALTER DATABASE [YourDatabase] SET SINGLE_USER WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE

    DBCC DATABASE ([YourDatabase], REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS)

    ALTER DATABASE [YourDatabase] SET MULTI_USER

  4. Now click Execute to start the repairing process of the SQL Server Database.

Method 2: Repair Corrupt SQL Database by Professional Software

If you can’t repair a corrupt SQL database manually, you should try a professional recovery tool as the ultimate solution. The manual trick may fail or not work in a case of severe corruption. But professional recovery solutions like SQL Database Recovery software never disappoint you. It’s smartly programmed for a successful SQL data recovery from a corrupt SQL database file. It supports both MDF and NDF files. Via this software, you can restore SQL database objects like tables, triggers, indices, keys, rules and defaults, etc. and save them into a new SQL database file. Also, you can save all the recovered data in SQL Scripts.

You can also restore other database objects like BLOB, image, XML, and large page data from the SQL database files with utmost accuracy. It supports both ROW-Compression and PAGE-Compression types in your SQL database file. For prior evaluation, you can download its free demo version. It’ll help you scan and repair corrupt SQL databases in an intensive manner. You can see a preview of your data which you can recover from the corrupt SQL database before purchasing the software. If you’re satisfied with the results, then only you should purchase the licensed version.

Know-How to Repair Corrupt SQL Database

Here are a few simple steps to repair a corrupt SQL Server database:

  1. Download & Run SQL Database Recovery Software.
  2. Click on the Browse option to select MDF File.
  3. Choose Select Recovery mode to scan database .mdf files.
  4. Now, click on the “OK” button to start the scanning process.
  5. Once the scanning process is completed, preview the recovered database.
  6. Enter SQL Server account credentials and try to make database connectivity.
  7. Finally, click on the OK button to successfully save the recovered SQL database at the destination path.

Conclusion

There are several methods to repair a corrupt SQL Database that claims users to restore SQL Database objects successfully. However, we recommend using the above-described methods to fix or repair corrupt SQL Database files. In addition, if you’re a database administrator, you need to use the third-party solution immediately to prevent any kind of data loss.

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About The Author:

I am a technical content writer at Aryson Technologies with an experience of 2 year specializing in writing about databases, data recovery, file management, e-mail recovery & migration solutions. Also, I am proficient in working in a challenging environment using all my skills and want to serve the reputed growth of the industry in the development field.

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