How to Fix Page Level Corruption in SQL Server Instantly
SQL Server users face different challenges when working on the SQL server database. Page level corruption in SQL server is one of the horrifying situation for any administrator as this will harm the data stored on the server. As a result, it is no longer possible to fetch the data. If you suffer from such circumstances, act immediately to fix SQL Database page level corruption. In this post, we will discuss various reasons with its respective solution to resolve this corruption from SQL Server database.
Table of Content
How Does Page Level Corruption Occur?
Before knowing the reason, let’s explore that how this corruption occurs. Basically, SQL server stores all the data in primary file i.e., MDF(Master Data File). Each MDF file contains the primary information in pages. Now, these pages are divided into header, body and slot array. If any information from the pages is changed randomly. A user won’t be able to open the page from the file.
Whenever such issues occur, the first reaction of users is to simply restore their SQL databases. However, it is not only wrong but also should be avoided at the first. Now, if you are thinking about what we should do at first, then here’s the answer:
- Set your SQL Database in Single-User mode.
- Tail log backup of all the transactions till the last T-log backup.
- Perform a total restore of backup from the present day -1.
- Simply Restore 4 T-Log backups per hour & when multiplied by 23 becomes 92 sole logs.
- Restore your Tail logs up to the exact corruption point.
- DBCC Check of Database.
- Set your database as Online now.
Page Level Corruption in SQL Server Quick Solution
- Launch the Software on your computer to begin.
- To Add MDF data files, Click on the Open button.
- Select the Quick or Advanced Scan mode for files.
- Select Destination Server, CSV, or Script File option.
- Click on Export to fix Page Level Corruption in SQL server.
Know the Critical Reasons of this Issue
- Hardware Failure: Any malfunction in the electronic circuits of the hard drive or other components can lead to corruption.
- Virus Intrusion: Ensure to thoroughly scan the setup files while downloading any software to the SQL server.
- Sudden Power Failure: If the power supply is interrupted while the database is running, this can lead to SQL Database page level corruption.
- Improper Update Installation: It is a smart practice to avoid installing unnecessary updates, as this will keep the SQL database in a healthy state.
- Unidentified Error: There are times when server catches corruption due to its own issues. There’s no thumb rule that all issues will be identified as there are some unidentified errors.
Note: With any of these reasons, if you find glitches in the server, try to backup your data immediately. As you never know how page level corruption can trouble and harm your crucial data!
Manual Technique to Fix Page Level Corruption in SQL Server
Before implementing the steps, it is advised to backup your MDF and LDF files. As will this guide you to find the reference point from where you can recover the database. Also, it is suggested to download text comparison and data comparison tool. This will make the process easy by comparing the corrupted data and the original data.
Steps to repair SQL Database page level corruption manually are as follows;
- Initially, check the differences between the original file and the corrupted file using text comparison tool
- Now, run DBCC CHECKDB command on the corrupted file. As this will ensure to check the database file, identify the defects and advise the minimum requirement of data fixing.
- Run DBCC PAGE command to analyze the infected page content after switching on the trace flag 3604 first
DBCC TRACEON (3604) DBCC PAGE ({ ‘dbname’ | dbid}, filenum, pagenum [, printopt={0|1|2|3}])
In the above command, filenum and pagenum are page IDs which are related to system tables. The other parameters 0,1,2 and,3 defines the following,
- 0 – This will print the header part of the page
- 1 – It is the page header with per row hex dumps
- 2 – It is the page header with detailed page hex dump
- 3 – This is page header with elaborated per row interpretation
Now, verify the page number and the physical offset. For that perform logical consistency error and read the table using the below command,
SELECT * from dbo.tablename
After navigating the location from where the corruption has occurred. Make use of the text comparison software to compare it with the original page.
After detecting the errors, run the DBCC CHECKDB command on the recovered file to fix the page level corruption in SQL Server
What are the Possible Challenges Faced in the Manual Method?
- Need to invest a dedicated time and requires enough technical expertise to resolve SQL Database page level corruption.
- Fault-prone is a direct editing of the file, where checksums are examined on every page. If the copy/paste is not done properly, input/output errors will occur. In which, it becomes difficult to open the database.
- If multiple locations are corrupted, the other type of pages will also be infected, where SQL server fails to open the file.
Resolve SQL Database Page Level Corruption – Expert Approach
After reading and understands the various consequences associated with the manual method, it is clear that it is a difficult and challenging approach. Moreover, it requires detailed knowledge of SQL server to implement it. The ultimate solution is to use SQL Database Recovery Tool to fix page level corruption in SQL server. It can efficiently fix corrupted MDF and NDF SQL database pages without the risk of any data loss.
Concluding Words
When it comes to fix page level corruption in SQL server, a majority of the users fails to resolve it manually. Therefore, it is always the best option to use professional approach.
This will help to fix all kinds of corruptions from the database including SQL Database page level corruption. So readers, this is the right time to grab the tool, which is available now at a reasonable rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Run the DBCC CHECKDB command on the damaged file. This command checks your database file, shows the location of the problem areas, and suggests the minimum requirements for data fixing. Execute the DBCC PAGE command DBCC TRACEON (3604) to check the content of the infected page.
Ans: Yes, using automated tool, you can recover SQL database with all objects including tables, functions, index, views, etc.
Q-3. What is page-level corruption in SQL Server?
Ans: The Page-Level corruption problem in SQL Servers endangers all the sensitive data files kept in the server. Here, the files of the database become inaccessible to users as well as admins with all the authority & permissions.
Q-4. How do I fix suspect pages in SQL Server?
Ans: Follow the below steps to fix suspect pages:
- Expand System Databases.
- Expand MSDB > Tables > System Tables.
- Expand dbo. Suspect_pages.
- Right Click on Edit Top 200 Rows.
- Edit, Update or Delete Desired Rows in query.
Q-5. How to check the dirty pages in SQL Server database?
Ans: Simply take into use the DMV sys. Dm_os_buffer_descriptors statement to check dirty pages in the memory of all database instances. column is_modified is useful to check the dirty page.