Top 03 Tested Solutions to Recover SQL Database from Suspect Mode

“Database ‘YourDatabaseName’ cannot be opened. It has been marked SUSPECT by recovery. See the SQL Server error log for more information.”

Have you ever encountered such a notification after SQL Server fails to complete any operation? When SQL Server Database enters Suspect Mode, the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) shows an error message like this. This issue prevents users from accessing important SQL data and disrupts the entire workflow. To help you get rid of this trouble, we have listed below some of the most effective methods. The manual methods can be a bit complex and tricky, however, you can use a professional SQL Recovery Tool. For more details, read further and recover SQL database from suspect mode. Download Now   Purchase Now

What is Suspect Mode in SQL Server?

What causes SQL database in suspect mode, how to recover it, and more. Before knowing all this, let us know what SQL Server Suspect Mode means.

You might have faced challenges while accessing SQL Server sometimes. This is Suspect Mode in SQL Server when the SQL Server database becomes inaccessible to the user. Often it is due to potential database corruption, incomplete transactions, or hardware issues. As soon as the SQL Server detects any problem, disrupting database functioning, it automatically marks it as Suspect Mode. This prevents further damage or data inconsistencies.

What Happens When a Database Enters in Suspect Mode?

The SQL Server Suspect Mode causes the following issues:

  • The SQL Server generates error logs to indicate that SQL Server is in Suspect Mode.
  • One cannot retrieve database objects or access any of its data without SQL database suspect recovery.
  • If you have any pending or uncommitted transactions, possibly it might not be recovered.
  • This can also result in database page corruptions or inconsistencies in the log file.

Hence, these are problems caused until you recover SQL database from suspect mode. Also, there is a risk of losing database backup files sometimes. This situation is very problematic for organizations that rely on SQL Server for critical applications.

Common Causes of SQL Database in Suspect Mode

For troubleshooting and SQL Server suspect database recovery, it’s crucial to find out the real cause behind. So, listed below are some reasons for this issue:

  • Incomplete transactions due to unexpected shutdown of SQL Server.
  • The MDF or LDF file may get corrupted due to bad sectors on hardware or disk.
  • If the log file is corrupted or missing, it is not possible to restore database integrity.
  • In the middle of operations, if your storage space is full, it interrupts transactions.
  • Threatening programs cause malware or virus attacks, causing ambiguous mode errors.
  • Restoring database objects from an incomplete or faulty backup file may cause data inconsistency.
  • SQL Server software bugs, updates, or compatibility issues may interrupt operations.

All the mentioned above are major causes of the SQL Server Suspect Mode error. Let us find out the best solution to recover the database from suspect mode.

User Query-

Xwadrythm on Reddit Ask:- MS SQL Database in Suspect Mode – How to Restore

My MS SQL Server database is currently in suspect mode after a sudden power loss. The server is set to simple recovery mode, with daily differential backups and weekly full backups.

I am trying to restore the database, but the restore option is greyed out in the context menu. What should I do to resolve this issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Chengcheng210 on Microsoft Community Hub Ask:- Database in Suspect Mode

Hi there,

I’m encountering a challenging issue. When I was updating some columns in a database I previously installed, a main memory corruption caused the database to enter suspect mode.

I’ve been searching for a solution for several days. Some suggestions point to changing the ALTER permission for the user. However, I am an SA user, and as an SA, I should have all CONTROL permissions. I’ve been stuck here for days and hope someone can help me out.

Best Methods to Recover SQL Database from Suspect Mode

This section deals with various troubleshooting procedures and solutions to recover the object from the suspect database. However, you must have advanced SQL Server Knowledge and know-hows of technicalities to do it manually. Let us explore methods one by one and find the one that suits your preferences.

Method 1: Set Suspect Database to Emergency Mode

This method involves the use of DBCC CHECKDB Command to fix the error and recover the database in SQL Server from suspect mode.

Follow the Steps to Fix Suspect Database in SQL Server Using DBCC CHECKDB:

  1. Open SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio).
  2. Next, establish connection to your SQL Server instance.
  3. Run the following command to Turn On the Emergency Mode. This will set the database to READ-ONLY mode and allows access for repairs:
    ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET EMERGENCY;
  4. To scan the database inconsistency, check for Errors in the Database. Run these commands:
    DBCC CHECKDB (YourDatabaseName);
  5. Now, you need to prevent any other database connection. So, set the Database to Single-User Mode:
    ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET SINGLE_USER WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE;
  6. To fix the suspect mode error, run the Repair Command:
    DBCC CHECKDB (YourDatabaseName, REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS);
  7. Finally, for smooth functioning, restore Multi-User Access once repair is successful:
    ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET MULTI_USER;
  8. To check if the database is online, check the Database Status as follows:
    SELECT name, state_desc FROM sys.databases WHERE name = ‘YourDatabaseName’;

Hence, this is how you can recover database from suspect mode by setting emergency mode. It is important to have expertise of SQL Server and the use of DBCC CHECKDB Command. You can also try other alternative procedures.

Method 2: Using SSMS to Recover SQL Database from Suspect Mode

Here is another safest option to recover SQL database from suspect mode. Use a recent backup file and gain control over the database objects. Follow the procedure given to restore database from backup:

  1. Firstly, run the SSMS and connect it to the SQL Server.
  2. To prevent any conflicting connection, set Database to Single-User Mode:
    ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET SINGLE_USER WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE;
  3. Run the following command and restore the Database from Backup:
    RESTORE DATABASE YourDatabaseName FROM DISK = ‘C:\Backup\YourBackupFile.bak’ WITH REPLACE;
  4. Again, set Database back to Multi-User Mode:
    ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET MULTI_USER;
  5. Check that your restored Database is accessible and all database objects are intact.

Both of the discussed procedures are effective for SQL database suspect recovery. However, if you are a new user, you might find the process difficult. It has certain limitations, that only an expert can handle:

  • It may lead to permanent data loss and you can’t recover lost records.
  • Repairing a database with large databases can take hours or even days.
  • DBCC CHECKDB command may fail to resolve severe corruptions.
  • Setting the database to Single-User Mode can disrupt ongoing operations.

Overall, these methods are not suggested for non-technical users without SQL Server knowledge. As a result, they should prefer a more secure and reliable professional software solution.

Method 3: Alternative Solutions for Resolving SQL Database Suspect Mode Issues

A best alternative solution to recover SQL database from suspect mode is recovering corrupt SQL Database MDF files. Whenever such error happens, MDF file corruption is common. So, we suggest Aryson SQL Database Recovery Software to get back database access. This is a 100% secure and reliable software, no matter how much you know about SQL Server. It involves no complex procedure, unlike manual approaches. Also, it offers dual recovery modes (Standard & Advanced) to scan and repair minor as well as severe corruptions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix SQL Databases Stuck in Suspect Mode:

  1. Run the Aryson SQL Database Recovery Tool on your system.
  2. Click on Open > Browse. Select source MDF file to restore database.
  3. Based on the level of corruption, choose an appropriate recovery mode.
  4. Preview the recovered Database Objects in the panel and select to save.
  5. Click on the Save SQL Data button. Choose saving options and proceed.
  6. At last, click on OK and the process to save SQL data begins.

Hence, the process becomes more convenient and easy to perform for all types of users.

Conclusion

If you need to recover SQL database from suspect mode, finding an easy solution is the real task. However, we have discussed some of the most effective solutions practiced by users globally. Handling SQL Server corruption manually can be a complex task and hectic as well. Therefore, for better results, prefer using a professional SQL Database Recovery Software, that is risk-free and supports repairing severe corruptions as well. Further, if you are good with technicalities of SQL Server and have enough time, go for a manual approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I recover an SQL Server database from Suspect Mode?

Ans- You can use DBCC CHECKDB command to resolve this issue, as follows:
1. Run the command “ALTER DATABASE dbName SET EMERGENCY;” to set the Database to Emergency Mode.
2. Check the database integrity with this query “DBCC CHECKDB (‘dbName’);”.
3. Use this command “ALTER DATABASE dbName SET SINGLE_USER WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE;” to set the Database to Single User Mode.
4. To repair the database, run this “DBCC CHECKDB (dbName, REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS);”.
5. Switch to Multi-User mode “ALTER DATABASE dbName SET MULTI_USER”.
ALTER DATABASE dbName SET ONLINE;” run this and bring database online. 
For a quick and more effective method, prefer a professional Aryson SQL Database Recovery Tool. 

Q. What are the best SQL Recovery tools for fixing Suspect Mode databases?

Ans- If the manual methods fail or risk data loss, using a professional SQL Recovery Tool is the safest solution. One of the best tools is Aryson SQL Database Recovery Tool. It repairs corrupt SQL databases, with dual recovery modes. Also, it allows to restore MDF and NDF files, and recovers deleted records.

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About The Author:

Rohan Wiese is a Technical Writer at Aryson Technologies. He is an expert Email Forensic, Cloud Computing, and a passionate nerd with over 10 years of experience in technical content writing. He writes about Cloud Migration, Database Recovery, Email Backup, Windows, Mac, and Tech.

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