An Access database is a type of database file created and used by Microsoft Access software. MS Access is a database management system (DBMS) that allows users to create, edit, and manage databases.
But sometimes, Access database files are susceptible to corruption, which can lead to data loss or other issues. But there is nothing to worry about.
In this article, I have provided the 3 best solutions for Access database repair. Along with the solutions, you will get to know the causes of Access database file corruption.
So, if your database files become corrupted due to some unexpected or unknown reason then read out this whole post carefully.
What Causes Access Database File Corruption?
There are several reasons that can cause Access database file corruption issue. But below I have listed down some of the most possible causes of it:
Network Problems: If multiple users are accessing the same database over a network and there are network connectivity issues with a network configuration, this can lead to database corruption.
Improper shutdowns: If the Access database is not closed properly before shutting down the system, then this can cause database file corruption.
Large file size: If your Access database file is too large then it could lead to Access dataset corruption issues at times.
Malware or virus infections: Malware or viruses can sometimes infect your Access database file and cause corruption or data loss.
Hardware or system failures: It includes unexpected power loss, hardware malfunctions, software crashes, or other issues that cause the computer or server to shut down unexpectedly while the Access database is open.
Software bugs: Bugs or errors in the Access application itself can lead to database corruption. This can include issues with the database engine, the user interface, or other components of the software.
Any of the above-mentioned reasons can cause Access database file corruption issue. So, it’s always suggested to back up your database file on regular basis to prevent the file from corruption,
How to Repair Corrupt Access Database File?
In this section, I have listed down 3 tested and tried ways for Access database repair.
So, start implementing the given solutions one by one.
Solution #1: Use the Built-In Compact and Repair Tool
Access has a built-in tool known as Compact and Repair that helps to repair minor Access database corruption issues. You can use this tool to repair corrupt Access database file.
Here’s how to access this Compact and Repair Tool:
Step 1: Firstly, you need to open your corrupted database in Access.
Step 2: After that, click on Tools & choose ‘Compact and Repair Database’
Step 3: Again, choose ‘Database to Compact From’ then > ‘Compact’
Step 4: As you will click on the Compact option, the repair process will start.
Step 5: Finally, wait until the repair process is completed. Once the process gets completed, simply click on the ‘Save’ button
Solution #2: Create New Database & Import Objects to Repair Access Database File
If the Compact and Repair tool doesn’t work, then you should create a new, blank database in Access and then importing all of the objects from the corrupt database into the new database.
Follow the below given step by step guide to know how to do so:
- Firstly, you need to open a new database file in Access.
- Then, click on the External Data
- Select Access in the “Import & Link” section then follow the prompts to import all the objects from the corrupt database into the new database & click OK.
Solution #3: Use Third-Party Recovery Tool for Access Database Repair
If the above two solutions won’t work for you, then you should try to use a third-party recovery tool that is specifically designed for repairing Access databases.
Access Data Recovery is one of the best tools that can help you to repair your corrupted or damaged Access file.
It’s important to note that in some cases, a corrupt Access database file may be beyond repair and you may need to restore from a backup or recreate the database from scratch.
How to Recover Corrupt Access Database from Backup?
If you have a backup of your Access database, you can easily recover your corrupted database by restoring it from the backup.
Here are the steps to recover a corrupt Access database from a backup:
- Open the File Explorer, then select & copy your backup copy.
- Move all the copied file to a same location where your corrupt database file have been saved.
- As prompted, just replace an existing DB file with a backup copy.
Time to Conclude
Access database file might get corrupted or damaged due to any of the above-mentioned reasons.
But the good news is that, Access database corruption issue can be easily solved by applying the aforementioned solutions.
In this article, I have provided the 3 best solutions for Access database repair. So, if you are unable to access your corrupted database file, try out the given methods one after another and repair corrupt Access database file with ease.
