How to Clear SQL Server Database Transaction Log File? 3 Best Ways

If you’re trying to learn how to clear SQL Server database transaction log file then this article is the right place to get all the information regarding it. Here, we are going to address the actual users’ query along with the reasons. In addition, the best 3 methods are mentioned here along with the do’s and don’ts. At the end, we are also going to mention the most common FAQs for the same. 

Why Delete SQL Server Database Transaction Log File?

There are no fixed causes for users to execute this log clean-up operation. However, we are mentioning the most common ones here. There is going to be a very chance, that you might be one of these.

Make Space in Disk – To make sure that the database is not filled up with full space errors & optimize the I/O, users often need to clear SQL Server database transaction log file.

Improve Performance – There are times when log files are so cluttered that they start affecting the database performance to a great extent. This needs to be fixed ASAP.

Point-in-Time Recovery – Another reason for users to truncate SQL Server database transaction log files is that users need to clean the log file and maintain a proper backup to enable point-in-time recovery.

Damaged Log File – SQL log file or LDF file easily gets damaged or corrupted. Thus, instead of repairing them, users opt for the easy way to clear them and move ahead with a fresh start.

Also Read: SQL File Growing Rapidly Issue Fixed

User Queries to Clear SQL Server Database Transaction Log File

Now, before we move ahead with the ways to clean up the log files, let’s explore some of the user queries. We’re going to show a couple of queries that we received in our mail. Also, we will mention some popular queries on public platforms.

Hello Sir. Can you guys help me understand how to clear the database transaction log as I’m trying to give my log files a fresh start? I tried a couple of manual solutions but failed brutally. Please suggest a solution worth trying.
– Amanda, Texas

Hey there folks, I hope you all are doing perfectly fine. Recently I found myself in a situation where I had to truncate all my Log files of the SQL Server database. Also, while trying it on my own, I accidentally deleted some crucial log data. Now I want to know how to delete the SQL Server database transaction log file first. Secondly, if something goes wrong, how can we get back the deleted data?
– Victor (Google), California

Now, let’s take an example of the most popular user queries on other platforms:

On StackOverflow

On Microsoft (Learn Community)

#1 SQL Server Database Transaction Log File Cleanup with T-SQL

This T-SQL method is only advisable for users who are proficient in SQL Server technicalities. For new users, we don’t recommend this method. Moreover, this might even confuse some experienced users as well. Thus, it’s crucial for all users to make sure that they pay utmost attention to avoid all kinds of hassles.

Step-1. Empty SQL Server Log File

1. Connect to the database instance.
2. Hit the New Query button from the Standard bar.
3. USE YourDB and execute the below-mentioned command:

GO
DBCC SHRINKFILE (YourLogFile, 8);
GO

This command will simply shrink your log file to the size of 8MB so that further operations can be executed with ease. Now, we can proceed to the next step to clear or truncate SQL Server database transaction log file with this T-SQL method.

Step-2. Delete the SQL Log File

1. Connect to the database instance.
2. Hit the New Query button from the Standard bar.
3. Now, using the master database, simply execute the following query:

GO
ALTER DATABASE AdventureWorks2012
REMOVE FILE YourLogFile;
GO

That’s it. The operation here is completed.

#2 SSMS Method by Shrinking Log File Technique

In case users are not comfortable with the command line procedure, they can opt for the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) method which gives them a graphical user interface. Moving ahead, we must mention that this method might be less tricky but indeed more lengthy than the others.

Step-1. Shrink SQL Server Log File

1. Open SSMS > Go to Object Explorer > Expand the connected instance & Log in to the SSMS here.
2. Simply Unfold the Databases and then Right-Click the database you are trying to shrink in size.
3. Turn to Tasks > Click on the Shrink button and then Click Files. Go to the Database & Choose File option.
4. Here, users need to Select the File Type and File Name. Now, Select the File to simply Shrink.

Now, if you Click OK, the database engine will shrink the log file. However, before we do that. There are a few more options to set it in more depth. Let’s go through them. Below we are mentioning three options and then we will proceed to step number two.

Option-1. Select the Checkbox with the label Release Unused option.

Option-2. Select the Checkbox with the label Reorganize files before releasing unused space option.

Note: If users select this option to clear transaction log SQL Server database, they must specify the shrink file value. BY default, it’s just empty.

Option-3. Enter the Maximum Percentage of Free Space in the database shrinking the file. It could be between 0 to 99. However, users need to make sure that Option-2. is enabled.

But, if we plan to delete the entire data, we need to make sure that the primary file can not be made smaller than the primary file in the model DB.

Option-4. Choose the Empty file by migrating the data to other files in the same filegroup check box and Click OK button.

Step-2. Delete the SQL Server Log File here to clear database transaction log.

1. Connect with instance > Go to Object Explorer > Expand the instance.
2. Expand Databases > Right-Click and Go to Properties option.
3. Select the File page > In the DB files grid, Select File and Click Remove.
4. Click on the Ok button.

#3 SSMS Method by Using the Attach & Detach Database

To execute the SQL Server database transaction log file cleanup, there is another method in SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio). Also, this method is all about the database attach & detach technique.

Follow the steps mentioned below:

Step-1. Open SQL Server > Right Click DB > Go to Tasks > Click Backup.

Step-2. Right-Click on Database > Click on Tasks > Hit the Detach button.

Step-3. Go to the Log file path & Delete the log file. The path for the same is mentioned below:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL14.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA

Step-4. Now Right-Click on the Database & Hit the Attach button.

Step-5. Hit the Add button under the new pop-up window.

Step-6. Select MDF File & Hit OK > Select the LDF file & Hit the Remove button.

Get Back Accidentally Deleted Log File Data

In case users’ crucial log data gets deleted accidentally, it’s quite crucial for them to recover that deleted data. Therefore, to avoid all the hassles in the manual solution, we are going to use SysTools SQL Log Analyzer tool for this task.

Step-1. Launch the Software & then Hit the Open button.

Step-2. Set the Online or Offline mode for repair/recovery.

Step-3. Preview the Log Records in different view modes.

Step-4. Finally, Hit the Export button to get back Log data.

Do’s and Don’ts to Clear Transaction Log SQL Server

Now, before we end this article & users start their operations, make sure to go through the Do’s and Don’ts list. It helps users to clear SQL Server database transaction log file without any complications. Also, users can get useful insights here.

Do’s

1. Truncate the Transaction Log
2. Monitor Transaction Log Growth
3. Optimize Database Recovery Model
4. Regularly Backup the Transaction Log
5. Consider Transaction Log Compression

Don’ts

1. Don’t Delete the Transaction Log File without Need
2. Don’t Shrink the Transaction Log Too Aggressively
3. Don’t Neglect Backup and Recovery Procedures
4. Don’t Overcomplicate the Process
5. Don’t Ignore Performance Issues

The Final Say

Finally, after discussing all the crucial aspects of this topic, we know how to clear SQL Server database transaction log file without technical issues. Users can select any of the above methods as per their preferences. Also, the Do’s and Don’ts will help users to make the entire process smoother and error-free. However, we are not done yet. Let’s quickly have a look at the most common FAQs below.

Also Read: What is SQL Server Error Log in Database?

FAQs

Q-1. Is it safe to delete SQL Server database transaction log file

Ans: Unless and until users delete any important SQL Server transaction log file by mistake, it’s totally safe. With a few precautions, everything’s safe here

Q-2. How to solve transaction log if database is full?

Ans: Always keep the maximum file size option unrestricted using the SSMS 

Q-3. What happens if the transaction log is full?

Ans: Either the SQL Database stops working, or it shows errors in inserting more data.

Q-4. Can we really get back deleted log files in the database?

Ans: Yes, using the above-mentioned automated solution, users can get back the deleted data.