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How to Repair a Corrupted Database in SQL Server

Give a try to these quick methods right away

6 min. read

Updated onOctober 31, 2023

updated onOctober 31, 2023

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Of course, it’s frustrating to discover a corrupted database on your SQL Server for apparent reasons. You can’t access the information, and your work stops.

However, you can fix this problem in many ways with manual solutions or by using a smart, dedicated third-party tool calledRecovery Toolbox for SQL Server.

But before starting the troubleshooting, let’s understand and investigate why this problem is happening in the first place.

What is an SQL Server, and how can we identify the database?

An SQL Server is a database system developed by Microsoft that is used for managing, storing, and retrieving data by other applications.

There are three types of files to store and manage data in an SQL Server: primary files (with a .MDF extension), secondary files (with the .NDF extension), and log files (with the .LDF extension).

We are particularly interested in those MDF files because those are the ones that provide the database storage.

Why does a database become corrupted on an SQL Server?

There are a lot of possible reasons why your SQL server database can become corrupted, from a simple overwrite or accidental file deletion to virus infections and incorrect configuration.

Let’s go through some of the most common causes for this issue:

That said, follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to repair an SQL database file on an SQL Server.

How can I repair a corrupted database in SQL Server?

1. Restart the SQL Server

Sometimes, you can solve the problem just by restarting the SQL Server. Of course, it doesn’t work every time but it’s so easy to perform that it wouldn’t hurt to perform.

2. Repair a damaged table

The REPAIR TABLE will help you repair a table and you can do the same for any other corrupted ones but this way, you might lose some data from the table.

3. Use the mysqlcheck command

4. Use the ALTER TABLE commands

5. Repair the database using Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server

So, this ishow to repair SQL server database fileswith this simple and effective tool. As you can see, it will get the job done much faster.

TheMS SQL server recovery toolwill also help you if you’re facing the following problems with the MDF database:

Actually, the Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server repairs all objects of corrupted .mdf files, including data types, table cell data, views, stored procedures, custom functions, triggers, indexes, primary and foreign keys, restrictions, and others.

And the great advantage is that you can seamlessly export the repaired data into the Microsoft SQL Server from the app.

This is it! Now you know how to repair your SQL Server database manually, or by using a dedicated tool, you canexport it to Exceland open it to analyze the data.

To learn more about SQL issues, we have a great guide on how to fixArithmetic overflow error converting expression to data type interror, so don’t miss it.

If you know additional methods or have any questions, we await them in the comments section below.

How to Repair a Corrupted Database in SQL Server#

How can I repair a corrupted database in SQL Server?#

1. Restart the SQL Server#

2. Repair a damaged table#

3. Use the mysqlcheck command#

4. Use the ALTER TABLE commands#

5. Repair the database using Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server#