Digital data is an integral part of organizations, irrespective of their size. They depend on it heavily for all types of database transactions to maintain the proper functioning of their business. Amid such significant dependence on data, a database loss could lead to irreparable disruption to business operations.
Operations like internal processes, customer interaction, or financial transactions will come to a standstill in the absence of a properly operating database. In such a scenario, prompt database recovery becomes inevitable. The method could be any, whether log-based recovery, backup and restore, shadow paging, or other methods.
However, during the recovery, you may face several issues such as data corruption, hardware failure, a missing MDF or LDF file, or recovery pending. If your SQL server database remains stuck in a recovery pending state, it can happen due to various factors.
In this blog, we will discuss these causes and try to resolve the issue through manual methods. We will also find out how professionalSQL database repair software, like Stellar Repair for MS SQL, can fix this error.
Reasons behind the Recovery Pending State
This state refers to the inability of the SQL Server to start database recovery due to inaccessibility of the required files or insufficient resources. It can happen because of several reasons:
- Corrupted or missing log files
- Improper database shutdown
- System crashed or terminated unexpectedly
- Out of storage database disk or drive
- Interference by Antivirus
- Troublesome I/O operations
These errors make it unable to initiate the database recovery process. Fixing the issue quickly is therefore imperative.
Fixing the Recovery Pending State manually
Run the following command in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) in the New Query window to check the state of the database:
SELECT
name AS DatabaseName,
state_desc AS DatabaseState
FROM sys.databases;
This query will list all the databases and their current states, whether Online, Offline, Suspect, Recovering, etc.
If you find your database in the Recovery Pending state, here are the resolutions you can try out.
1. Check the SQL Server Error Log
Scan through the error log in the SQL Server to find any error that indicates the recovery pending state. You can do this through the following steps:
- After launching SMS and connecting to your server, look for Management in the Object Explorer in the left pane of the window.
- Expand Management > SQL Server Logs
- Search for entries in the SQL Error Log that might give a hint to the database issue
Look for any entries under the “SQL Server Logs” or “SQL Error Log” that might indicate issues with the database
Alternatively, type the commands below in the query window:
EXEC xp_readerrorlog 0, 1, N’Database_Name’;
EXEC xp_readerrorlog 0, 1, N’error’;
EXEC xp_readerrorlog 0, 1, N’corrupt’;
Look for the results and messages window section in the part below the query window, to find the listed errors and identify if any of them indicate the recovery pending state.
If you do not find any issues, move on to other methods to bring the SQL Server database back to normal mode.
2. Check if the AUTO CLOSE Option is OFF
Often, the AUTO CLOSE option in the database remains turned ON, which closes the database after its use and turns it on when you access it the next time. To avoid this frequent ON and OFF after every connection, turning the AUTO CLOSE option OFF is a better option.
- In the SSMS, right-click the database that shows the error
- Select Properties > Options
- On the right side of the Database properties window, look for Auto Close and set the value to False if not set by default.
- Click OK to save the settings.
3. Ensure the existence of the database files
Missing transaction log files can lead to troublesome database recovery. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure the existence and accessibility of both the MDF (primary data file) and LDF (transaction log file). Here is the query to check the association of database files with the database:
USE master;
GO
SELECT name,
physical_name,
state_desc
FROM sys.master_files
WHERE database_id = DB_ID(Database_Name);
If the LDF is missing in the result, you will have to restore or recreate it.
4. Repair the database
In case you suspect the database of corruption, follow the steps below:
1. Set it to EMERGENCY mode:
Here is the T-SQL command: ALTER DATABASE Database_Name SET EMERGENCY;
2. Set the database to single-user mode:
Use the command: ALTER DATABASE [Database_Name] set single_user;
3. Run the DBCC CHECKDB command:
Check and repair the database by using the command as given here:
DBCC CHECKDB(‘Database_Name’) WITH NO_INFOMSGS, ALL_ERRORMSGS;
4. Repair the database by using REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS option
If you find issues, run the following repair options:
DBCC CHECKDB ([Database_Name], REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS) WITH ALL_ERRORMSGS;
Use this command carefully, as it can cause loss of data
5. Set the database to multimode
When you complete the repair process, set the database again to multi-user mode by using this command:
ALTER DATABASE [Database_Name] set multi_user Considering the loss of data because of this method, recovering the database from a recent backup is a recommended move.
Using Professional SQL recovery software
Third-party automated software, such as Stellar Repair for MS SQL, can work effectively in fixing the Recovery Pending state. It prevents the loss of data caused by the REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS option and is quick to recover the database. Here are the key features of this popular recovery tool.
- Repairs all SQL database files and recovers database objects
- Recovers deleted table records and saves them to a new table
- Saves the recovered and repaired database to a new database, live database or other format
- Parallel processing technique to save up to 8 tables at the same time
- Resets the password of a protected database file
- Repairs the database on Windows and Linux OS
- Shows a preview of all recoverable objects in a tree-like structure
- ‘Search’ option to find any item in the database
- Option for selective recovery of SQL objects
- Save the repaired database using Windows or SQL Server Authentication
Steps to recover corrupt files using Stellar Repair for MS SQL
The method to use professional SQL recovery software is easy and quick
- Download and install Stellar Repair for MS SQL on your system
- Select the damaged or corrupt database using the ‘Search’ or ‘Browse’ option
- Click ‘Repair’ to start the database repair process
- Preview the selected database and save the repaired database
Stellar also allows you the option for MS SQL database repair service if you face hassles in repairing the corrupt database and removing it from the recovery pending state. As a part of this service, the company will assign a certified professional to repair your MS SQL database file with 100% precision.
Buy the paid version of Stellar Repair for MS SQL today. You may also download the free version of the professional SQL recovery software to scan & preview recoverable SQL server database objects.
Conclusion
Organizations depend heavily on digital data and database transactions. Any type of damage or disruption to the database could halt business operations, making the database recovery inevitable. During recovery, you can face several issues, such as the Recovery Pending state, which occurs mostly when you try to recover a damaged database.
It can happen due to a missing log file, system crash, antivirus interference, or abrupt system shutdown. To recuperate from the situation, admins use several methods, such as checking the SQL Server error log, setting the AUTO CLOSE option to false, or checking the existence of the database.
Experts also use the DBCC CHECKDB command with the REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS repair option to recover the database from the pending state. This method can repair the database, but it also leads to data loss. The need is to find a better way that ensures quick data recovery without losing data.
This calls for the use of professional SQL recovery software, such as Stellar Repair for MS SQL. The tool is easy to install and use, quick to recover data, and sets you free from data loss. You can buy the software from the Stellar Info website or download and try its free version. If required, you can also ask for the MS SQL database repair service, where a certified professional will repair your corrupted database with 100% precision.
