14 Best Ways to Repair Corrupt Access Database

Learn 14 best ways to repair corrupt Access database files (MDB/ACCDB), including expert tools, built-in and manual recovery options.

Statistics show that 58% of organizations face database corruption at least once annually. A more alarming fact reveals that 40% of businesses fail to recover from catastrophic data loss.

Your Access database might stop working or show corruption signs without warning. This situation creates immense frustration. The good news is that multiple solutions exist to fix corrupt Access database files, repair MS Access database errors, and recover deleted records.

Several proven methods can help repair corrupted Access databases. These range from built-in repair tools to professional recovery software. This piece guides you through quick fixes for minor issues and advanced solutions that handle severe corruption cases.

Your database needs attention right now? Let’s look at the quickest ways to fix it step by step.

1. Understanding Access Database Corruption

Database corruption happens when unexpected changes alter your Access database’s original structure. Understanding corruption’s nature becomes significant before any repair attempts.

1.1 Common Causes of Database Corruption

Three main reasons cause most Access database corruptions. Hardware failures like faulty hard drives or storage devices with bad sectors create database corruption. Software-related issues such as incorrect file system recovery or resource conflicts damage database files. Human factors including improper database disconnection and concurrent multi-user access lead to corruption regularly.

System shutdowns due to power outages or crashes while the database remains open cause substantial damage. The database can end up in an inconsistent state and become corrupted.

1.2 Useful Tips to Prevent Access Database Corruption

In another article, we have already provided many useful tips to prevent Access database corruption, which will reduce the corruption by 95%. However, we still need effective methods to handle the remaining cases.

1.3 Signs of a Corrupted Database

These indicators commonly point to database corruption:

• Unexpected error messages like “Unrecognized Database Format”
• Random password prompts when no password exists
• “Microsoft Jet Database Engine cannot open the file” errors
• System crashes when attempting to open the database
• Invalid bookmark or missing field notifications
• Visual Basic for Applications project corruption messages

1.4 Effect on Business Operations

Database corruption’s business consequences prove severe. Recent studies show data issues cause average downtimes of 20 days that substantially disrupt normal operations. Data loss triggers these cascading problems:

1. Financial Impact
   • US companies face average data breach costs of $8.60 million
   • Recovery periods extend up to nine months
   • Data recreation and recovery consume resources
2. Operational Disruption
   • Critical systems stop working
   • Productivity timelines face delays
   • Customer’s trust and loyalty suffers

Hard drive crashes or system failures cause 67% of data loss incidents. This fact emphasizes the need for strong backup systems and proper database maintenance procedures.

2. Using DataNumen Access Repair to Fix Corrupt Access Database

DataNumen Access Repair stands out as one of the best professional database repair tools to fix corrupt Access databases. This robust tool works with all versions from Access 95 to 2021, including Office 365.

Free download

2.1 Repair a Single File

To repair a single Access database file, please do as follows:

1. Close Microsoft Access and other applications that might modify your source database file.
2. Select the source database file.
3. Set the output file name.
4. Click the “Start Repair” button
5. After the repair process, DataNumen Access Repair will output a new database.

2.2 Repair a Batch of Files

Organizations can save time and effort with the batch processing feature. Multiple corrupted databases can be queued and processed sequentially by DataNumen, as below:

1. Go to the “Batch Repair” tab.
2. Click “Add Files” to add multiple Access database files to be repaired.
3. Click the “Start Repair” button
4. All the files in the list will be repaired one by one

2.3 Recover Deleted Tables and Records

The tool’s ability to recover deleted content is impressive. Here’s the recovery process:

1. Go to the “Options” tab
2. Enable “Recover deleted tables” and “Recover deleted records” as below:
   
3. Go to the “Repair” tab and start repairing your file.

2.4 Recover Indexes, Relations and Queries

DataNumen successfully recovers various database objects such as:

• Complex SQL queries (Delete, Insert, Update commands)
• Table relationships and indexes

If you want to recover these objects, please do as follows:

1. Go to the “Options” tab
2. Enable “Recover indexes”, “Recover relations” and “Recover queries” as below:
   
3. Go to the “Repair” tab and start repairing your file.

2.5 Recover from Hard Drive, Disk Image or Backup Files

Access databases can be recovered directly from hard drives, disk images or backup files if you do not have the Access database any more, for example:

• You delete the Access MDB/ACCDB database file permanently.
• You format the hard drive.
• Hard drive failure.
• The virtual disk in VMWare or Virtual PC is corrupt or damaged.
• The backup file on the backup media is corrupt or damaged and you cannot restore the Access MDB/ACCDB database file from it.
• The disk image file is corrupt or damaged and you cannot recover your Access file from it.

If you have the disk image or backup files on hand, then you can do as follows:

1. Click “…” button to select the source file.
2. In the “Open File” dialog, select “All Files (*.*)” as the filter.
3. Select the disk image or backup file as the source file to be repaired.
4. Set the output fixed database file, and make sure its extension is .mdb or .accdb.

If you want to recover from hard drive directly, you need to use DataNumen Disk Image to create a disk image file for the hard drive:

1. Select the hard drive or disk.
2. Set the output image file name.
3. Click “Start Cloning” button to create the disk image file from the hard drive/disk.

After you get the disk image file, you can use DataNumen Access Repair to recover data from it.

2.6 Recover from Ransomware or Virus

DataNumen works exceptionally well against ransomware attacks and virus infections. Just take the encrypted or infected Access database file as the source corrupt file and repair it, you will get the data from it.

3. Using DataNumen Data Recovery to Recover Access Database

DataNumen Data Recovery is another great tool if the Access database file is lost or deleted.

3.1 Recover Lost or Deleted Databases

If your Access database is lost or deleted for various reasons, you can use DataNumen Data Recovery to get it back:

1. Start DataNumen Data Recovery.
2. Select the hard disk/drive to scan.
3. Click “OK” button.
4. DataNumen Data Recovery will scan the selected hard disk/drive.
5. After the scan process, if the database is recoverable, it will in the list.
6. Select the database and click “Recover” button to recover it to a folder.

3.2 Recover from Disk Image Files

If you already have the disk image file for the hard disk/drive, then you can recover the database from the image file directly:

1. Start DataNumen Data Recovery.
2. Select “Scan” > “Scan Image File” to scan the image file.
3. The remaining steps are the same as 3.1.

3.3 Repair the Recovered Databases

Sometimes, the Access databases recovered by DataNumen Data Recovery are still corrupt. In such a case, you can use DataNumen Access Repair to re-repair the recovered database and get data from it.

4. Using Built-in Access Repair Tools

Microsoft Access has several built-in tools that help protect databases from corruption. These native solutions can fix common database issues without any third-party software.

4.1 Compact & Repair Database Tool

The built-in Compact & Repair tool is a vital part of database maintenance that can prevent many issues. This tool does two things – it makes your database files run better and fixes minor corruption problems.

Here’s how to use this tool:

1. Close all active database connections
2. Go to Database Tools tab
3. Select “Compact & Repair Database Tools”
4. In “Database to Compact From” dialog, select the database to be repaired.
5. Click the “Compact” button.

We run this maintenance every week, especially on databases that see lots of updates and deletions. This keeps performance optimal and stops data from getting bloated.

4.2 DAO Function DBEngine.CompactDatabase

The DAO CompactDatabase function gives us more control over database maintenance than the built-in tool. This method lets us automate the repair process.

This function works great with multiple databases that need regular upkeep. It creates a new, optimized copy of your database and keeps all your data and objects intact.

Below is the VBA code to batch repair all Access databases under a directory:

Option Explicit

' Add Windows API declarations
Private Declare PtrSafe Function SHBrowseForFolder Lib "shell32" (lpbi As BROWSEINFO) As Long
Private Declare PtrSafe Function SHGetPathFromIDList Lib "shell32" (ByVal pidList As Long, ByVal lpBuffer As String) As Long
Private Declare PtrSafe Sub CoTaskMemFree Lib "ole32" (ByVal pvoid As Long)

Private Type BROWSEINFO
    hWndOwner As Long
    pidlRoot As Long
    pszDisplayName As String
    lpszTitle As String
    ulFlags As Long
    lpfnCallback As Long
    lParam As Long
    iImage As Long
End Type

Private Type ProcessStats
    SuccessCount As Long
    FailureCount As Long
End Type

Public Sub CompactRepairDatabases()
    Dim fso As Object
    Dim folder As Object
    Dim file As Object
    Dim folderPath As String
    Dim stats As ProcessStats
    
    ' Create FileSystemObject
    Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    
    ' Show folder picker dialog
    folderPath = GetFolderPath()
    If folderPath = "" Then
        MsgBox "Operation cancelled.", vbInformation
        Exit Sub
    End If
    
    ' Initialize stats
    stats.SuccessCount = 0
    stats.FailureCount = 0
    
    ' Get folder object
    Set folder = fso.GetFolder(folderPath)
    
    ' Process each file in the folder
    For Each file In folder.Files
        ' Check if it's an Access database
        If IsAccessDatabase(file.Name) Then
            If CompactAndRepairDB(file.Path) Then
                stats.SuccessCount = stats.SuccessCount + 1
            Else
                stats.FailureCount = stats.FailureCount + 1
            End If
        End If
    Next file
    
    ' Show results
    MsgBox "Process completed!" & vbCrLf & _
           "Successfully repaired: " & stats.SuccessCount & " databases" & vbCrLf & _
           "Failed to repair: " & stats.FailureCount & " databases", _
           vbInformation, "Compact and Repair Results"
           
    ' Clean up
    Set file = Nothing
    Set folder = Nothing
    Set fso = Nothing
End Sub

Private Function GetFolderPath() As String
    Dim bi As BROWSEINFO
    Dim pidl As Long
    Dim path As String
    Dim retval As Long
    
    ' Initialize BROWSEINFO
    With bi
        .hWndOwner = Application.hWndAccessApp
        .lpszTitle = "Select Folder Containing Access Databases"
        .ulFlags = &H1 ' Show only file system directories
    End With
    
    ' Show folder browser
    pidl = SHBrowseForFolder(bi)
    
    If pidl <> 0 Then
        ' Get path from ID list
        path = Space$(260)
        retval = SHGetPathFromIDList(pidl, path)
        CoTaskMemFree pidl
        
        ' Clean up path string
        If retval <> 0 Then
            GetFolderPath = Left$(path, InStr(path, vbNullChar) - 1)
        End If
    End If
End Function

Private Function IsAccessDatabase(FileName As String) As Boolean
    Dim extension As String
    extension = LCase$(Right$(FileName, 4))
    IsAccessDatabase = (extension = ".mdb" Or extension = ".accdb")
End Function

Private Function CompactAndRepairDB(dbPath As String) As Boolean
    Dim tempFile As String
    
    On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
    
    ' Create temporary file path
    tempFile = Left$(dbPath, InStrRev(dbPath, ".") - 1) & "_temp" & _
               Mid$(dbPath, InStrRev(dbPath, "."))
    
    ' Attempt to compact and repair
    DBEngine.CompactDatabase dbPath, tempFile
    
    ' Delete original and rename temp to original
    Kill dbPath
    Name tempFile As dbPath
    
    CompactAndRepairDB = True
    Exit Function
    
ErrorHandler:
    CompactAndRepairDB = False
    ' Clean up temp file if it exists
    On Error Resume Next
    If Dir(tempFile) <> "" Then Kill tempFile
End Function

4.3 Decompiling VBA Code to Fix Corrupted Access Database

Bad VBA code can cause database problems. The /decompile switch is a valuable troubleshooting tool in Microsoft Access that can help resolve these problems. Although named “decompile”, it is not actually “decompiling” in the traditional sense – it doesn’t convert compiled code back to source code. Instead, it simply clears out all compiled versions while preserving your original VBA code, letting Access recompile everything from scratch.

To decompile a database, just launch Access with the /decompile switch from Windows command prompt (cmd.exe):

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\MSACCESS.EXE" "C:\Users\ccw\Documents\Database.accdb" /decompile

Note: Replace the paths of the ACCESS.EXE and your database accordingly.

Important Safety Notes:

• Always backup your database file before decompiling.
• This is an undocumented feature, so use it with caution.
• This won’t work on compiled .mde/.accde files (only for .mdb/.accdb).
• Make sure to close all instances of Access before decompiling.

After decompiling:

1. Open the database
2. Open the VBA editor
3. Use the Debug – Compile command to recompile all modules
4. Save the database

This process helps eliminate corruption in partially compiled code and can resolve many mysterious VBA-related errors in Access databases.

4.4 Use JetComp Utility to Repair Damaged Access Database

JetComp utility is a stand-alone tool for older Access databases. You can download it from here or Microsoft website.

Here are its benefits and limits:

Key Benefits:

• Skips opening databases before compacting.
• Better at handling databases that the standard Compact and Repair utility can’t fix.
• Works with password-protected databases.
• Supports multiple language databases.

Limits:

• Only support *.mdb databases created with Microsoft Jet database engine 3.x and 4.x.

These built-in tools are a great starting point for database repair. If they don’t work, you might need more advanced solutions like the ones covered earlier.

5. Manual Database Repair Techniques

Built-in utilities don’t always fix corrupt Access databases, while professional tools need extra money. Manual techniques can help recover data from damaged databases for free. These methods take more time but often yield better results with no additional fee.

5.1 Importing Objects to New Database

The import method has helped us save data from corrupted databases countless times. This approach needs a fresh database to systematically transfer objects from the damaged one. Here’s what works best:

1. Create a new, blank Access database
2. Close the automatically created Table1
3. Go to “External Data” tab
4. Click the “Customerize the Ribbon…”
5. Click “New Group” to create a new group.
6. Select “Access(Import Access Data)” and then click “Add>>” to add it to the new group.
7. Select “Access” from the new group.
8. Browse to your corrupted database
9. Select all objects you want to import
10. Click “Options” and make sure the “Relationships” is checked.
11. Click “OK” to import the objects to your new database.

Below is a step-by-step video tutorial:

Note:

1. Make a backup before trying any repair process.
2. If the import fails, retry by selecting some of the objects (instead of all objects) until the import succeeds.
3. This method works best with mild corruption where objects remain available.

5.2 Recovering Through Linked Tables

External links help recover data when direct imports don’t work. This technique connects to the corrupted database without moving the data.

To create external links, just follow the same procedure as 5.1, except that when importing the database, you should choose “Link to the data source by creating a linked table”:

After that, Access will create linked tables in the current database, pointing to the source corrupt database:

Then you can do as follows to recover the tables:

1. Open a linked table.
2. If the linked table can be opened, then create a new table with the same structure in the new database.
3. Copy accessible records in batch. Work with small batches of records (50-100 at a time) to reduce the risk of data loss during transfer.
4. Paste into the new table.
5. Test each record after transfer.
6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 for all linked tables.
7. Rebuild relations and queries
8. Other objects, such as forms, macros, etc., can be done in the same way.

Our testing shows these manual techniques work best when:

• The database remains partly available, where some tables and objects still work while others are corrupted.
• Built-in repair tools haven’t worked
• You need to recover specific data
• Time pressure isn’t an issue

These manual methods need patience and careful attention. Rushing through repairs often creates more problems. Take your time and keep backup copies throughout the repair process.

6. More Options to Repair Corrupt Access Database

Other than all these methods mentioned. There are still many professional Access repair tools available. We have collected and reviewed the best ones in a list.

7. Conclusion

Database corruption can severely affect business operations. Our research shows multiple repair solutions work effectively. Organizations can choose from professional recovery software like DataNumen or built-in Access tools to restore their damaged databases. Below is a summary:

DataNumen Access Repair tool works better for severe corruption cases. Minor issues can be fixed by built-in repair tools.  Manual recovery techniques provide value when built-in free methods don’t work and you don’t want to pay, though they take more time.

Your database needs regular maintenance to prevent corruption. A complete backup strategy helps protect your data. Schedule routine compact and repair operations. Monitor database performance consistently. These preventive steps and repair methods will protect your valuable data and reduce potential downtime.

Note that quick action and the right tools determine successful database recovery. These repair methods and regular backups will prepare you to handle any database corruption challenges ahead.

Author Introduction:

Vivian Stevens is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies. Learn more about DataNumen.