How to Repair Corrupt MDB File Without Data Loss
Summary: MDB is an MS Access database file, and dealing with its corruption is a big problem. It can lead to inaccessibility of data tables, objects, forms, and other resources. Users cannot perform the database queries, and all of this can be for any reason, varying from one to another. But you can still save the data by following the methods in the blog to repair corrupt MDB file. Additionally, check out the Access Database Recovery Tool for a smooth and quick recovery free download.
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What Causes MDB File Corruption?
The common factors that lead users to a state of MDB file repair are mentioned here:
- Threat attacks or unexpected shutdowns
- Improper application exit or network issues
- Operations conflict due to incompatible software
- Hardware fails, or memo fields are frequently edited
- Dissimilarity in the service packs of JET Engines
- An oversized file or many users simultaneously accessing the shared MDB
All these mentioned reasons result in the following MS Access errors, such as:
- MS Access Error 2572, which states the database is in an unexpected state.
- Error 3343 in MS Access, in which the database format ‘path/namefile.mdb’ is unrecognized.
- Corruption in the MS Access database file, i.e., Error Code 29072.
- MS Access Error Code 10012: Database ‘namefile.mdb’ needs to be repaired.
- Error 3112 in MS Access MDB, i.e., records are unreadable, no file permissions.
Ideal Strategies to Repair Corrupt MDB File
We will discuss various manual solutions and an automated tool here to resolve the MDB corruption and get data back. But before we proceed with it, ensure these:
- Maintain a backup of the MDB file, i.e., corrupted or problematic.
- Ask users to stop all the current operations for the shared database file.
- Keep administrator privileges for the corrupted Access MDB file.
When done, continue with the brief steps for the methods as explained below.
Manual Troubleshoots to Fix Corrupt MDB Files
Since there are many manual freeways, we will go through them one by one.
1) Restore MDB via Previous Backup
- Open the File Explorer on PC and locate the Access database backup copy.
- If one exists and is found, select it and copy the entire database.
- Then, navigate to the location of the corrupted .mdb file and open it.
- Lastly, paste the copied content in the same folder location.
If no backup exists, skip to the next.
Note: If you find any .ldb (Access Lock Database) files on the PC during the search, delete them. It helps to recover the MDB file database. These files are temporary files similar to the database, automatically created and deleted with the MS Access application. Yet, it may sometimes be left due to a lack of permissions.
2) Repair Corrupt MDB File by Objects Import
- Start Microsoft Access and click File >> Blank desktop database.
- With a new name for the new database file, press Create.
- Next, browse to the External Data tab in the ribbon and tap Access. (Within the Import & Link menu.)
- Further, the Get External Data- Access Database wizard shows up.
- Now, click Browse and select the corrupted MDB from the computer.
- Afterward, choose the Import option from the two specified radio options and hit OK.
- Later, in the Import Objects window that appeared, select the items to move. Tap OK.
- Finally, when the import to a new database completes, hit Close.
3) MDB File Repair with VBA Code Decompilation
- Open Command Prompt (cmd) from the Windows Start menu.
- Input the command C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OfficeXX\MSAccess.exe /decompile. Hit Enter.
4) Fix Corrupt MDB Files with Built-in Utility
Case 1: When the file can be opened
- Open MS Access and move to the File tab and Info section.
- Press the built-in utility named Compact & Repair Database.
- After that, pick your corrupted MDB and hit OK.
Case 2: When the file cannot be opened
- Within Access, click on Blank desktop database.
- Next, from ribbon, press Database Tools >> Compact and Repair Database.
- Then, choose your corrupted .mdb with Browse.
- Finally, press Compact >> give file a new name >> and Save.
Professional Way to Repair Corrupt MDB File
If none of the above manual method works and you are stuck with a corrupted MDB file. Then, take the Access Database Recovery Software free download and instantly fix the MDB file in seconds. Using it recover linked tables, objects, macros, forms, etc., without affecting the data or any losses. Additionally, it is a self-explanatory tool for all users and runs very smoothly on all OS.
Steps to Fix Corrupt MDB Files
- Install and launch the MS Access Recovery Software. Hit Open.
- Then, choose your MDB file that needs fixing and opt for a recovery mode.
- Pick other filters for deleted records as required and hit OK.
- Further, preview all the logs and records in the software interface.
- Press Save and pick a folder location. You can opt to create a new one, too.
- At last, click on OK to recover the corrupted MDB files at the desired location.
How is the Tool Better than Manual Methods?
- It can handle all MDB files created in any Access version and of any size.
- You can preview and check the data before the final recovery.
- There is a complete guarantee for the accurate recovery of the data.
- No hard technical knowledge or skills are needed to use the software.
Conclusion
While there are several methods available to repair corrupt MDB file, the one without data loss is a professional tool. The corruption can be for any reason and can lead to numerous errors, as discussed above. However, if you know the right methods, troubleshooting the corruption can be quite easy. Still, for the best results and rapid data recovery, go for the expert tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.How to repair a corrupted MDB file? Ans. Use the MS Access File Recovery Tool to recover MDB file as follows
Run it and press Open to add the MDB file to it.
Choose between Standard and Advanced recovery for the fix.
Then, click OK and preview all the data. Hit Save.
Finally, with the output folder location chosen, click OK.
Q2. Is it possible to repair a Corrupt MDB file in Windows 11? Ans. Yes, with the Access Database Repair Tool, you can repair MDB files on Windows 11 and all other previous versions.
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