How to Fix Recovery Pending State in SQL Server Database: Complete Tutorial
Nowadays, SQL server users are trying to learn how to fix SQL database in recovery mode. It’s quite a critical error as a lot of users are facing this problem & are trying to get the perfect solution. Therefore, this guide has all the key aspects required for users to solve this issue. Know the factor responsible for this as well as the solutions available. In addition, learn step-by-step instructions on how to bring the database Online from Recovery Pending State in SQL Server 2017 / 2016 / 2014 / 2012 in the simplest way.
Topics to Fix SQL Database Recovery Pending
- SQL Database Recovery Pending in 5 Steps
- Reasons to Fix SQL Server Database in Recovery Mode
- How to Fix Pending Recovery State – All in Guide
- Technical Ways to Troubleshoot Recovery Pending Mode
- SQL Server Database All States
- Video for SysTools Software Working
- Tips to Prevent SQL Recovery Pending State
- Infographic for Recovery Pending Solution
- Conclusion
- FAQs
As we know, MS SQL Server is one of the amazing relational database management systems. Like other databases, it also has some issues such as the Recovery Pending state. The people who are working with Microsoft SQL Server have faced this problem multiple times while working with the database. That is why we came up with this post. In this article, we are going to describe the suitable workaround for how to fix the SQL Server database stuck in a such state.
So, Let’s Begin!
Fix SQL Database Recovery Pending in 5 Steps
- Launch the automated software in your system.
- Select Quick or Advance Scan mode for MDF file.
- Set the Destination SQL Server database to proceed.
- Select Schema or schema with data option as needed.
- Click on Export to resolve SQL recovery pending error.
Reasons to Fix SQL Server Database in Recovery Mode
In simple terms, due to some factors, the SQL becomes unable to access the database and undergoes pending states. It simply means that the user cannot use the SQL database further and is unable to lock the files too. Evidently ,it seems like an offline database situation. Primarily, there are three reasons but overall, users can find plenty of them. The three primary causes are SQL Server database stuck in the Recovery state after reboot or restart action.
- Users often try to solve SQL Server database recovery mode from log backups, full or differential backups, etc with NORECOVERY option. However, not mentioning the RECOVERY during the last restore is what makes the issue worse.
- During a database recovery, transaction logs tend to fill the database. Therefore, the database stops all running transactions until the transaction logs are freed.
- When the space allocated for the desired database gets full.
- Unexpected shutdown of SQL Server Management Studio.
- Perform recovery operation from a corrupted backup file.
SQL Database Stuck in Recovery Pending State – Important Note
In such a situation, when the MDF file gets corrupted and due to which database shows recovery pending in SQL server, you can try SysTools SQL Recovery Tool. It is an advanced utility that fixes this state in sql server into the healthy one.
In addition, export the healthy file directly into SQL Server environment without any fail count. So, provide your database MDF file that shows such state in software and it will provide you a healthy file in your database.
How to Fix Recovery Pending State in SQL Server Database – Full Guide
To fix the Recovery pending state in SQL Server users need to simply download the automated tool. By Adding the MDF file, they can scan them & remove the corruption from the files. Finally, after exporting the healthy data files to the server, users can be a stress free.
In the following section, we will describe three workarounds that use to fix SQL server recovery pending 2016 / 2014 or in other editions too. Two of these solutions are free & manual. Thus do not require the assistance of any other applications. However, the most advanced method is the automated solution that requires software. Here, we are going to use the inbuilt command for fixing corruption in SSMS first. All you need to do is to execute all the queries sequentially and carefully. Let’s learn both solutions quickly.
Features of the Automated Software to Fix SQL Database in Recovery Mode
- Ability to scan MDF files quickly or in-depth for rectifying the damage.
- Auto-detecting feature of SQL Server version for the MDF data files.
- Export options to the SQL Server, CSV file, & SQL compatible scripts.
- Fix & Recovers the triggers, tables, views, indexes, rules, & other items.
- Preview & recover the deleted data items as well without any hassles at all.
- Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, etc, with Windows Server 2012 & 2016.
Also Read: How to Repair SQL Database with DBCC CHECKDB CMD Method?
How to Fix SQL Server Database in Recovery Mode Issue Technically
In case users’ database stuck recovery mode & is in pending mode, they can try to troubleshoot this issue using the following queries. Let’s have a look at the below command to bring back the database from recovery mode.
The First Step: Restore SQL Database Using T-SQL Command
RESTORE DATABASE Database_Name WITH RECOVERY;
In case, users have any uncommitted transactions, this command will rollback all of them for sure. Moreover, it will bring back the database online from recovery mode.
The Second Step: Apply Microsoft Troubleshooting
If there are plenty of VLFs or Virtual Log Files in the SQL database, users might face difficulties as it makes the process slow. Therefore, using KB2455009 Microsoft Fixes, users can get better results.
The Final Step: Running DBCC CHECKDB to Identify Corrupted Data
Now, if the problem still exists, users can simply run the commands to check if there are any corruption issues or not.
Let’s move further to know the available database states in SQL, to proceed further & learn the ways to remove corruption issues if any.
States of SQL Server & How to Check Database Stuck in Recovery Pending State?
Basically, there are three states in SQL Server in total. When equal to or more than 1 core file comes under an inconsistent state, we can say that the database is corrupted or damaged. To understand the level of corruption, the database can be classified into three states such as:
- Online State – The entire SQL database stays in the Online state if one of the files is damaged while executing a query. This stage is not critical but must be observed by the database engineer constantly.
- Suspect State – The SQL database is stated as a suspect when it can’t be recovered during the startup of the SQL Server. This is one level up from the online state & requires more attention from the administrators.
- Recovery Pending State – When the Server decides that it is necessary to restore database but some error is standing in between like a barrier, it states it as the recovery process is still pending. The recovery here is not even started.
Apart from these three, there are multiple other states as well. Understanding all of these states can provide users with deep insights.
- Emergency State
- Restoring State
- Recovering State
- Offline State
- Copying State
- OFFLINE_SECONDARY State
These are all of the states present in the SQL Server database that users can understand. Now, let’s move forward & learn how to check them & then fix SQL database recovery pending scenario.
How to Check the State of SQL Server Database?
Now, the question arises how can we check the status of our SQL database? It is very simple as users just need to run the below-mentioned query:
SELECT name, state_desc from sys.databases
GO
After running the query, users will get to see results as showed in the below image:-
How to Fix SQL Server Database in Recovery Mode Using SSMS?
Here, we are going to use the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to fix Server database recovery mode issue. Please keep in mind that users must have the latest backup of their database with them to opt for this method. It can help users to get rid of database stuck recovery mode problem.
Step-1. Launch SSMS >> Right Click Databases >> Click Restore Databases option.
Step-2. Go to Source >> Select Device option >> Click on the Three Dots option.
Step-3. Click on the Add button in the popped up window to proceed further.
Step-4. Browse & Select the Backup (.bak) file you want to restore & press OK.
Step-5. Click on the OK button once again to move ahead.
Step-6. Under the Restore Database window, Enter Database Name & Hit Ok.
Step-7. The database will be back online from recovery mode here.
Users must understand as this manual solution is not the best method available today, users might have to wait for larger databases. This is because SQL Server database recovery mode fixing can be slow in case of databases with large files.
#Approach 1: Remove Recovery Pending State With Set Emergency Mode
Basically, this workaround is a multi-step process and all of them are described below. Make sure you have enough amount of time to run these queries. Then only, users can solve SQL database stuck in recovery pending state without errors.
Step 1: Set up the Database in Emergency Mode
First of all, you need to make a database in emergency mode. For this, just type the following query in SSMS and execute it.
ALTER DATABASE [db_name] SET EMERGENCY
Step 2: Set SQL Database in Multi-User Mode to continue database recovery pending resolving task.
Run the below-mentioned SQL query in the console to set the database in multi-user mode.
ALTER DATABASE [db_name] SET MULTI_USER
Step 3: Time to Detach the Database
After successful execution of the above query, you need to run this command.
EXEC sp_detach_db ‘[db_name]’
Step 4: Connect MDF File to solve SQL Server database recovery pending issue.
At last, use this query to fix the Recovery Pending status database.
EXEC sp_attach_single_file_db @db_name = ‘[db_name]’,
@physname = N ‘[mdf_path]
#Approach 2: Use DBCC CHECKDB to Resolve Recovery Pending in SQL Server Issue
In case the above solution cannot fix the issue, then you can try this workaround. In this method, we will use the inbuilt SQL Server DBCC CHECKDB query to fix the recovery pending state in SQL server.
ALTER DATABASE (db_name) SET EMERGENCY;
GO
ALTER DATABASE (db_name) SET SINGLE_USER;
GO
DBCC CHECKDB ([db_name], REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS) WITH ALL_ERRORMSGS;
GO
ALTER DATABASE(db_name) SET MULTI USER;
GO
After the execution of the above queries, the database was marked as reading Only status due to emergency mode. With this method, the database brings online from the SQL database recovery pending mode.
#Approach 3: Fix Recovery Pending SQL Server State in SQL 2019, 2022, & Other Versions Automatically
Step-1. Download Advanced Tool & Click Open to add files.
Step-2. Select Quick or Advanced Scan for corrupted files.
Step-3. Preview Data Files after the completion of scanning.
Step-4. Now, simply Enter the Destination SQL server details for fixing database recovery pending.
Step-5. Click Export button to fix Recovery Pending SQL Server.
For this final automated method, users need to download the automated tool mentioned above. Let’s understand the features that this automated tool offers to fix the SQL Server recovery pending error.
Here’s a Video to understand the Working of the Software
Tips to Prevent SQL Database Recovery Pending State
There are a few ways for users to prevent this SQL recovery pending issue in the first place. To do this, simply go through the tips below without any hassles. It’s always better to fix the problem even before it starts. As they say, prevention is always better than cure.
Frequent Backups – Regularly taking full database and transaction log backups with verification is a good initiative to prevent this state. Reliable backups are always helpful even in disastrous scenarios. Thus, users should make it a habit to take backups
Disaster Recovery Plan – A disaster recovery plan is quite crucial for tackling unwanted server crashes. However, users who ignore this often face trouble later. Thus, investing some time, effort, & resources is proven to be helpful in future. It includes failover clustering, mirroring, & replication.
SQL Database Maintenance – It’s crucial to maintain the SQL database without any hassles at all. Database maintenance includes index maintenance, statistics updates, hardware protection & monitoring, etc. Most important among all is the database consistency checks.
Monitor Disk I/O and Space – Closely monitoring sufficient disk space and disk performance is quite helpful in detecting any unusual activity in the starting phase. This can be easy for the administrators to eliminate the risks earlier.
Security & Access Control – Database integrity is quite crucial to prevent SQL Server recovery pending issues in the database. Using strong password policies and restricting unnecessary access always adds an extra layer of security.
Careful DB Operation – Proper shutdowns, monitoring suspicious events, & avoiding them lead to smooth SQL query optimization. Always make sure to obtain the maximum performance from your database.
Monitor SQL Logs – Monitoring logs is also quite significant. Error logs and Agent Job history plays a vital role in getting back deleted or missing data files.
How to Fix Recovery Pending SQL Server Basic Steps with this Infographic?
Conclusion
In this article, we have answered the most awaited query –How to Fix Recovery Pending State in SQL Server Database without any fail. Therefore, you can try any of the above-mentioned workarounds and resolve the recovery mode state mode in Microsoft SQL Server 2019 / 2017 / 2016 / 2014 / 2012 / 2008 / 2008 R2 / 2005.
The user can try the manual methods to fix SQL Server database in recovery mode that is stuck in a recovery pending state. If the problem is still there then the user can take the help of an automated solution to resolve this issue.
Frequently Asked Questions for SQL Server Database Recovery Pending
Ans – This error occurs because of the missing MDF & LDF files. So, it is good to use automated software that uploads the MDF file and exports a healthy file in your existing SQL Server database.
Ans – You can try this SQL query – ALTER DATABASE MyDB SET ONLINE.
Ans – Under the Object Explorer, the Recovery Pending mode just corresponding to the database in the brackets. After this, if the database stuck in recovery pending state, users can proceed to fix it.
Q-4. How do I remove a database from recovery mode?
Ans: Follow the simple steps mentioned below to remove the database from SQL recovery pending state.
- Launch the SSMS & Expand Database Folder here.
- Preview the database in recovery mode state to continue.
- Right Click on the database & delete it to end task.