Ultimate Guide to Repair Corrupt MDF File in SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server is a popular Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). Being a Database Server, its primary function is to retrieve and store data from other software applications. SQL Server stores its entire data in MDF files. An MDF contains user data and objects, such as indices, columns, views, functions, values, tables, keys, stored procedures, triggers, etc. Also, it can save the startup information for the database. But sometimes, MDF files become corrupted due to software bugs, errors with disks, and many more. Therefore, users want to repair corrupt MDF File. 

SQL Server also has a drawback. Just like any other computer file, an SQL database is also prone to corruption. So if you’re facing database corruption and looking for a way to fix it, you’ve come to the right place. This blog will discuss the various procedures to repair MDF file SQL Server. In addition, we will mention an efficient solution, Sysinfo SQL Database Recovery Tool, to repair damaged MDF file. But before moving ahead, you should know the possible reasons for the corruption of SQL files.

Reasons For Causing Corruption in MDF Files of SQL Server 

There are various reasons for database damage in SQL Server. Below are the most common reasons: 

• Unexpected changes in SQL Server accounts
• Accidental data deletion from the SQL database
• Corruption in the header part of the database
• Storage media corruption where SQL database file is stored
• Network failure when a database is in working mode
• Using compressed folders to save SQL database
• Internal bugs in the MS SQL Server program
• Software malfunction or collision
• Abruptly system shut down due to a sudden power failure 

Now, we will discuss the solutions to recover corrupted MDF files. 

How to Repair Corrupt MDF File? 

If you have the backup of your SQL database, you can successfully restore the complete file from it. But if there’s no backup available, you still have a fair chance here. We have two solutions to repair corrupted MDF file. 

1. Repair MDF File Through CHECKDB Command 
2. Automated Solution to Recover Damaged MDF Files

Here, we have given you an overview of both procedures. Further, we will discuss each method in detail. 

Approach 1: Repair MDF File Through CHECKDB Command  

In Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, users run the database console commands (DBCC): DBCC CHECKDB. Follow the given steps. 

• Run DBCC CHECKDB on your damaged SQL database through the following command.

DBCC CHECKDB (Name of the corrupt Database) 

• After that, modify the index ID and examine the two cases as mentioned below.
• If Index ID > 1, drop and construct it once again.
• If Index ID is 0/1, Run DBCC CHECKDB again on your database and utilize the repair options, such as:

repair_rebuild, repair_fast, or repair_allow_data_loss

For Instance: 

DBCC CHECK (name_of_corrupt_database, repair_fast)

DBCC CHECK (name_of_corrupt_database, repair_rebuild)

DBCC CHECK (name_of_corrupt_database, repair_allow_data_loss)

• Lastly, again run the DBCC CHECKDB. Make sure to check that the above command will help to repair corrupt MDF file. 

It will take a few seconds to repair MDF file. But remember, it may fail or not work in a case of severe corruption. In such a scenario, consider using a professional SQL Repair tool. But when you search in the online marketplace, there are many options. And don’t forget when there are too many choices. It’s always hard to choose the best one.

Approach 2: Automated Solution to Recover Damaged MDF Files 

Sysinfo SQL Database Recovery is the most efficient and comprehensive software. It repairs corrupt MDF files without harming the actual data. During the recovery operation, it maintains the integrity of your data without causing any alteration. You just can’t detect the level of database corruption. But this software has two different recovery modes: Standard and Advanced. The software also helps the users to resolve SQL Server Recovery Pending State easily.  Now, we will learn the working of the utility. It will clear all your doubts. 

Steps: 

• Download and run the Sysinfo SQL Database Recovery tool. 
• After that, click the Open button and choose the damaged MDF file.
• Then, select recovery mode > OK button.
• You can see that the scanning process of the desired file will finish in a few seconds. Click the OK button.
• Here, you can preview your chosen MDF files in a preview panel. 
• Moving ahead, mark the files you want to repair and click the Save button. 
• Afterward, select the desired location where you want to save the recovered MDF files and click the OK button.

From the above steps, you can effortlessly repair your corrupted MDF files. 

Conclusion 

In this article, we’ve discussed a brief introduction to MDF files. Also, we’ve gone over the most common reasons for database corruption. Whenever corruption takes place in the Database Server, we must repair corrupt MDF file. The article explained two different ways to recover MDF files, manual and automated approaches. You can use a manual solution, or you can use a professional SQL Repair tool.

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