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How to Fix Error 3154 in SQL Server While Restoring Database from BAK File?

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Written By Tej Pratap Shukla
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh  
Published On June 11th, 2024
Reading Time 6 Minutes Reading

Error 3154

This blog will provide the complete and easiest way to fix ‘Microsoft SQL Server Error 3154. The backup set holds a copy of a database other than the existing database on the system.’ Sometimes the issue comes as “system.data.sqlclient.sqlerror: the backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing”. Don’t worry, just read the article attentively.

Error 3154 in SQL Server

As we know, whenever any catastrophic situation happened in the SQL database and data loss situation occurs. For recovery, users restore the SQL Server database from the BAK (backup) file. However, users face the error 3154 in SQL Server while doing the same. Therefore, this write-up provides the solution that lets you how to resolve Microsoft SQL Server error 3154 in all versions, including, SQL Server 2017 / 2016 / 2014 / 2012 / 2008 / 2008 R2 / 2005 without losing any information.

How Microsoft SQL Server Error Code 3154 Occurs ?

The reason behind this technical issue – SQL Database Backup Restore Error 3154: The backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing database, is that the name of the database in which you want to restore the backup set and the database whose backup was created is the same. It means, the name of backup file is similar, but, the databases are different. Moreover, there are some other factors that responsible for SQL error number 3154.

Reason 1:- This error might be occur when the user restore database backup from one SQL Server version to the higher version of SQL Server. For example, trying to restore the database from SQL Server 2008 to 2012.

sql error 3154 restore

Reason 2:- Once the backup of the original database has been created, the user renames the original database with a different name. For example ABC_Test to ABC_Test1. It also generate the 3154 error code.

Reason 3:- Database transaction logs were backed up to the same folder.

Reason 4:– Several databases have been configured for log shipping.

Techniques to Fix Error 3154 in SQL Server When Restoring Database

This section describes three methods for resolving Microsoft SQL Server error 3154. First of all, try to fix the SQL 3154 error with T-SQL, then with SSMS, and finally with professional software.

In total, there are three methods for users by which they can get their desired data files restored. Two of them are manual & the last one is an advanced automated solution. Carefully go through the steps to counter the error “the backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing ‘xxx’ database” without any hassles.

Method #1: Resolve SQL Backup Restore Error 3154 Using T-SQL Command

You can overwrite the existing database with RESTORE DATABASE command using WITH REPLACE. Use the below command to do this:

RESTORE DATABASE ABC
FROM DISK = 'C:\BackupABC.bak'
WITH REPLACE

error 3154 in sql server 2014

Method #2: Fix SQL Server Database Restore Error Using SSMS

You can also use SQL Server Management Studio software application to resolve – The backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing ‘Landing’ database. RESTORE DATABASE is terminating abnormally. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error 3154) glitch.

Step-1. Create a database with your desirable name.

Step-2. Right click on the Database >> Tasks >> Restore >> Database.

sql error 3154 restore

Step-3. In the Restore Database window, click on the Options and then check the Overwrite the existing database (WITH REPLACE)” box.
select option

Step-4. In the end, click OK.

Method #3: Resolve Error 3154 in SQL Server With Professional Software

If the above mentioned method does not fix the error 3154. then it might be possible that it is the case of backup file corruption. In such situation, take the help of SysTools SQL Backup Recovery Software to fix The backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing ‘Landing’ database. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error 3154) problem.

With this application, you can easily troubleshoot SQL Server Restore Database errors and other data corruption. It provides a user-friendly interface that helps inexperienced users to easily resolve the issue.

 

Beneficial Features of SQL BAK File Repair Tool For Fixing 3154 Error

The software provides several features to make the task of resolving SQL Server error 3154 simple and quick. Here are some features:

  • Supports all versions of MS SQL Server editions such as SQL Server 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, and others.
  • Recovers MDF & NDF database from backup file with all objects like Tables, Views, Stored procedures, Triggers, Functions.
  • It repair corrupt SQL .bak file without any file size limitations.
  • It helps to import BAK file in SQL Server Database using only the credentials of SQL Server account.
  • Compatible with all latest and below versions of Windows Operating System including Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, or below versions.
  • Option to restore SQL BAK file to new database or an existing database without losing any single record.

Final Say!!

This article explained how to troubleshoot error 3154 in SQL Server that encounters while restoring the database from the backup (.bak) file. Here we have three workarounds that can be used to fix error code 3154. Opt any of the workarounds and resolve the SQL error. 

Frequently Asked Questions-

Q-1. How to troubleshoot ❌ Error 3154 in SQL Server 3154 in SQL Server 2014 Via. SSMS?

Ans: Open SSMS, go to the database and select Tasks >> Restore >> Database >> Options. Afterward, select the box of corresponding option ‘Overwrite the existing database (WITH REPLACE)‘.

Q-2. How to resolve ✅ – the backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing in SQL 2017?
Ans: Execute the following solution:

Try to use the T-SQL query,
RESTORE DATABASE Name_DB
FROM DISK = ‘Drive:\BackupName_DB.bak’
WITH REPLACE

Q-3. I created the backup file of my database in SQL Server 2008 and while trying to restore the database from the same backup file in SQL Server 2014, I got the error 3154? What to do now?

Ans: Use the SysTools SQL Backup Recovery Software and recover the database objects from the .bak file and export them into any SQL Server environment.

Q-4. What is a backup set in SQL Server database?

Ans: A backup set represents the result of a single, successful backup operation and is stored in one or more backup files on specified backup devices with ease. The details of backup sets, including their contents, can be queried using various SQL Server restore statements. These statements are RESTORE, RESTORE FILELISTONLY, RESTORE HEADERONLY, and RESTORE VERIFYONLY. This information is stored in the msdb database.

Q-5. How does SQL database backup work?

Ans: First of all we can say that a full backup does not store all the transaction logs. A full database backup encourages a database checkpoint to end all its data files to a disk. The backup process is meant to read the data pages and writes them to the backup file later. After the data reading task is completed, it reads the Transaction Log.

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By Tej Pratap Shukla

A versatile technocrat, always in the search for new and interesting areas related to technology. Works on multiple technical problems faced by users frequently. Provides the user-friendly solutions to deal with numerous technical issues.