Has your Access database got corrupt and you’re looking for ways that can help you repair a corrupt Access database? Don’t worry! We’re there to help you with that. But, do you know why the MS access database gets corrupt? It mainly occurs when errors are found in the underlying binary file format of the database. Because of that, you may come across random errors or may find it difficult to access the Access database files (.MDB/.ACCDB files). In this blog, we have covered all the possible effective troubleshooting solutions that can help you repair Microsoft Access Database File and Recover Data.
What Are The Reasons Behind Access Database Corruption?
Here, we have listed some of the effective troubleshooting solutions that can help you understand the reasons behind the corruption of Microsoft Access Database File:
- Hardware Failure
- Abrupt System Shutdown
- Jet Database Engine Version Conflicts
- Improperly Designed Plug-ins
- Interruption when Changing Data
- Software Bugs Frequently Editing Data in Memo Fields
- Virus Infection
Troubleshooting Methods To Repair Microsoft Access Database
Here, we have mentioned two different by following which you can repair the access database:
- Manual methods to repair the database.
- By using DIY (do-it-yourself) software.
Method 1: Use ‘Compact and Repair’ to Repair Access Database Manually
To repair a corrupt .MDB/.ACCDB database file, you can try using the Microsoft Access built-in ‘Compact and Repair’ feature.
Steps to Compact and Repair the Database that is Open
You may proceed with the below-given steps to compact and repair your database, if you found out that the Access database is corrupt and the database is still open. The same implies if you haven’t saved the changes that are made to the database.
- Go to the File menu in your Access database.
- After that, select the Compact & Repair’ option on the ‘Info’ page from the window that appears on your screen.
Once done, a copy of the compacted and repaired database will be created by Access at the same location where the original database has been saved.
Steps to Compact and Repair the Database that cannot be Opened
If you fail to access the corrupt database, in that case, you can try implementing the below-given steps to compact and repair the database:
Note: Before you begin to follow the below-given steps, you need to ensure that the database file is no longer used by any other user.
- To begin, open your MS Access program.
- Further, follow the below-given steps to Access 2013, 2016, and 2019:
- Go to the templates screen and from there, double-click to open a Blank desktop database.
- Further, go to the File menu in your MS Access program. And then, click on Close to exit the database.
- After that, click on the Database Tools followed by Compact & Repair Database.
- Moving ahead, search for the corrupt Access database file in the ‘Database to Compact From’ dialog box. When found, double-click on it.
- It will open the ‘Compact Database Into’ window, there, you have to specify a new name to the compacted and repaired database.
- At last, click on Save.
A copy of the compacted and repaired database will be created at the same location as that of the original database right after you have followed the above steps. If due to any reason, the Compact and Repair fail to repair Microsoft Access Database File and Recover Data, then, we would suggest you to use a professional Access database repair software to fix database corruption. If not, then you may move to the manual steps covered ahead in the blog.
Steps To Use The Stellar Repair For Access Software:
Stellar Repair for Access is amongst one of the powerful DIY software that allows you to repair and recover .MDB/.ACCDB file by following few steps. Proceed with the below-given steps to perform Access database repair with file recovery software:
- In the first place, you have to download, install and run the Stellar Repair for Access software.
- Then, browse and select the corrupted file from the window that opens up on your screen.
- Further, begin the repair process by clicking on Repair.
- When completed, preview of recoverable Access database objects is displayed in a tree-like structure.
- Now, click on Save Database on File menu to save the repaired data.
- At last, your recovered file will be saved at the desired location.
Here’s How You Can Recover Access Database Manually
If none of the above solutions work or you want to repair Microsoft Access Database File and Recover Data manually, then, follow the below-given steps:
Step 1: Restore Database from Backup
If in case, you have created backup of your Access database, then, you may try to restore the database using the back. For doing so, the below-given steps will help:
- Open the File Explorer and then, select and copy the backup copy.
- Then, move the copied file to the same location as your corrupt database file.
- When required, replace the existing data file with the backup copy.
Step 2: Delete Microsoft Access Lock Information (.ldb) Files
Whenever you try to open or access database for shared use (i.e. in a multi-user environment), it creates an .LDB file. The name for both these files is same, but is saved with an .ldb extension. Moreover, it helps you keep track of all the active users that are trying to access the database. Also, anybody who uses the database at last, closes it automatically that in turns, deletes the lock file as well. The same may not happen if the user doesn’t have delete permissions to the Access database (.mdf) file or if the database is corrupt.
Wrapping Up
As mentioned, there are multiple reasons that can turn an Access database corrupt, that further includes increase in database size, hardware or software failure, etc. To repair the data, you can manually compact and repair the database. However, there might be situations where the MS Access built-in ‘Compact and Repair’ command may fail to repair a severely corrupted Access database. In that case, you can try to use the Stellar Repair for Access to repair even severely corrupt Access database, quickly and efficiently.
