Top Solution to Fix Recovery Pending State in SQL Server Database

Summary: In this informative article, we will highlight the causes behind a database being marked in the recovery pending state. Additionally, it will explain solutions to address the issue of the ‘SQL Server database in recovery pending state.’ The problem can be resolved by executing queries in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or utilizing Aryson SQL Database Recovery Software. Download Now Purchase Now

Causes of the Recovery Pending State in SQL Server

In the upcoming section, we will discuss the reasons for a Recovery Pending status in the SQL Database server. While there could be various causes, the following points will focus on the most significant reasons for this error.

• Improper shutdown of the database with at least one uncommitted transaction during the shutdown, leading to the deletion of the active transaction log file.
• Attempting to resolve server performance issues by relocating log files to a new drive, inadvertently causing corruption to the log files.
• Inability to initiate Database Recovery due to inadequate memory space or disk storage.

States of a SQL Server Database 

When SQL database files get damaged or corrupted it is regarded as inconsistent. The severity of the damage determines the different states in which the database may be marked, including:

• Online: If a data file is damaged during the execution of a query or another operation, the database remains online and accessible.
• Suspect: When a database cannot be recovered during the startup of SQL Server, it is designated as Suspect.
• Recovery Pending: If the SQL Server recognizes that database recovery needs to be executed but encounters an obstacle preventing it from initiating, the Server designates the database in a ‘Recovery Pending’ state. This differs from the SUSPECT state as it cannot be concluded that recovery will fail; it simply hasn’t commenced yet.

Before starting the Recovery of Pending state we need to determine the state of the SQL Server Database. The next section will guide you through finding the state of the SQL database. 

Check the State of an SQL Database

To check the state of the SQL Database you just need to run the following query. 

SELECT name, state_desc from sys.databases 
GO

Once the query is successfully executed, you will receive an output as shown in the picture below.

Approaches to Fix the Issue ‘Recovery Pending State in SQL Database Server’

The upcoming section will explore various methods to address the Recovery Pending issue in the SQL Database Server. Before delving into the details of these methods, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of creating a backup copy of your database in case of unforeseen events. Now, let’s examine the manual approach to fixing the SQL Database Server.

Method 1: Using SSMS to Address the Database in a Pending State

The following section will explore two manual methods to fix the Recovery Pending in SQL Database Server. 

Approach 1: Initiate Forceful Repair by Marking the Database in Emergency Mode

Enabling EMERGENCY mode for a database designates it as READ_ONLY disables logging, and allows access solely to system administrators. Essentially, placing the database in this mode can make the previously inaccessible database accessible.

After accessing the database in EMERGENCY mode, attempt to repair the database by using the DBCC CHECKDB command with the ‘REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS’ option. To do this, open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and run the following series of queries:

ALTER DATABASE [DBName] SET EMERGENCY;
GO
ALTER DATABASE [DBName] set single_user
GO
DBCC CHECKDB ([DBName], REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS) WITH ALL_ERRORMSGS;
GO
ALTER DATABASE [DBName] set multi_user
GO

If this approach fails to Fix the Recovery Pending in the SQL Database Server. Then refer to the next approach to fix the issue. 

Approach 2: Place the Database in Emergency Mode, Detach the Primary Database, and then Reattach It.

This solution also involves putting the database in EMERGENCY mode. After that, you need to take the database offline (detach) and then bring it back online (re-attach). To do this, use the following set of queries in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):

ALTER DATABASE [DBName] SET EMERGENCY;
ALTER DATABASE [DBName] set multi_user
EXEC sp_detach_db ‘[DBName]’
EXEC sp_attach_single_file_db @DBName = ‘[DBName]’, @physname = N'[mdf path]’

The queries mentioned above assist the server in removing the corrupted log and automatically constructing a new one.

Method 2: Professional Method to Fix the Recovery Pending in SQL Database

Aryson SQL Database Repair software accurately restores damaged MDF files, maintaining database hierarchy and object integrity. It addresses various causes of SQL Database corruption, such as Recovery Pending, accidental deletions, changes in SQL Server accounts, and header file problems. The software fixes these issues, providing a functional or new database in place of the corrupted file. Now, let’s discuss the advantages of the software.

Benefits of the SQL Database Repair Software

In this section, we will discuss some advantages of the SQL Database Recovery Software. 

• Repair damaged SQL Database (MDF & NDF) files and restore all database objects.
• Utilize SQL Server Recovery utility for retrieving tables, views, triggers, defaults, programmability, and other SQL Server Database functions.
• Save entire table records from the recovered SQL database file in CSV format.
• SQL Recovery Software offers Standard and advanced recovery modes for accurate SQL Server Database restoration.
• Preview recovered SQL Server data before saving using SQL Database Repair Tool.
• Export the recovered SQL database to a new or existing SQL server database.
• Compatible with repairing MS SQL Server 2000, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2016 Database (MDF) files, including recovery of deleted rows or records.
• SQL DB Repair Software is compatible with all Windows OS and successfully recovers the SQL Server database.

Follow the Steps to Fix the Recovery Pending State in SQL Server Database:

1. Firstly, Download and launch the MS SQL Database Recovery Software.
2. Use the Browse option to pick the MDF File.
3. Select the desired Recovery mode to scan the .mdf files.
4. Click OK to initiate the scanning process.
5. Preview the recovered database by clicking on the MDF file after scanning.
6. Enter the SQL Server account credentials and verify database connectivity.
7. Finally, Click OK to save the successfully recovered SQL database at the chosen destination path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

It’s time to conclude another informative blog on resolving the Recovery Pending State in SQL Server Database. We started by looking at the reasons for this issue. Next, we examined the state in which the database server finds itself. Finally, we discussed both manual and automated approaches to fix the problem. The manual method can be challenging and demands solid technical expertise. Hence, IT experts suggest opting for the automated method for a quicker and more reliable resolution of the Recovery Pending issue in the SQL Server Database.

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