Mssql Database - Recovery Pending

-- 1. Set emergency mode (as above) ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET EMERGENCY; -- 2. Run consistency check without repairs DBCC CHECKDB (YourDatabaseName);

-- 4. Bring online ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET ONLINE;

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. mssql database recovery pending

-- Step 3: Run DBCC CHECKDB (repair with data loss risk) DBCC CHECKDB (YourDatabaseName, REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS);

-- Check disk space on log drive EXEC master.sys.xp_fixeddrives; Detaching flushes metadata and can make recovery impossible

Also review the Windows Event Log (Application and System) for disk or I/O errors. ⚠️ Warning: Never detach a database in Recovery Pending state. Detaching flushes metadata and can make recovery impossible. Always use the methods below. Method 1: Emergency Mode Rescue (Safest & Most Common) This forces the database into EMERGENCY mode (read-only, bypassing recovery), allowing you to salvage data or repair the log.

-- 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: It’s not a crash

-- Check database state SELECT name, state_desc, recovery_model_desc FROM sys.databases WHERE name = 'YourDatabaseName'; -- View error log entries for recovery failures EXEC sp_readerrorlog 0, 1, 'recovery', 'YourDatabaseName';

-- 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;

For older versions, use DBCC CHECKDB(YourDatabaseName, REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS) after step 2. If you have a recent full backup + log backups, this is the only guaranteed safe method:

"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.