-- 1. Set emergency mode (as above) ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET EMERGENCY; -- 2. Run consistency check without repairs DBCC CHECKDB (YourDatabaseName);
"Database Recovery Pending" is one of the most dreaded states an SQL Server database can enter. It’s not a crash, but it’s a standoff—the database is alive but refuses to let anyone in. For an administrator, this state translates directly to application downtime, frustrated users, and immediate pressure to act.
-- Check disk space on log drive EXEC master.sys.xp_fixeddrives; mssql database recovery pending
-- Step 3: Run DBCC CHECKDB (repair with data loss risk) DBCC CHECKDB (YourDatabaseName, REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS);
-- 3. Export schema + data into a new database using SELECT INTO or SSIS -- Example: copy a table SELECT * INTO NewDatabase.dbo.MyTable FROM YourDatabaseName.dbo.MyTable; It’s not a crash, but it’s a standoff—the
-- Step 1: Force emergency mode ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET EMERGENCY; -- Step 2: Run single-user mode check ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET SINGLE_USER WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE;
-- 4. Bring online ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET ONLINE; Export schema + data into a new database
When in doubt, engage a SQL Server recovery specialist—some states cannot be fixed with standard commands without irreversible data loss.
-- 3. Rebuild the log file (SQL Server 2016+) ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName REBUILD LOG ON (NAME=YourDatabaseName_log, FILENAME='D:\NewPath\YourDatabaseName_log.ldf');
-- Restore full backup with recovery RESTORE DATABASE YourDatabaseName FROM DISK = 'D:\Backups\YourDB_full.bak' WITH REPLACE, RECOVERY; -- Then restore subsequent log backups RESTORE LOG YourDatabaseName FROM DISK = 'D:\Backups\YourDB_log.trn' WITH RECOVERY; When the log is beyond repair and no backup exists:
BACKUP LOG YourDatabaseName TO DISK = 'D:\Backups\corrupt_log_backup.trn' WITH CONTINUE_AFTER_ERROR; Even a damaged log backup may contain salvageable transaction data.