Learn How to Deal with Index Corruption In SQL Server

Ashwani Tiwari ~ Modified: April 27th, 2020 ~ DataBase, SQL Server ~ 4 Minutes Reading

For SQL Server users, index corruption is an serious problem that hinders the regular functionality of the SQL Server database. Especially non-clustered index corruption has become quite a common case. This corruption usually occurs when users attempt to run a complex UPDATE statement and a NOLOCK hint at the same time against an SQL Server table. What happens is that NOLOCK hint interferes when a query is reading the same value more than one time. As a result, the query reads the incorrect value of the SQL table. All these confusions lead to the index corruption in SQL Server and the users become the ultimate sufferers.

In this post, readers will know how to resolve SQL Server database index corruption issues. Two methods of fixing SQL index corruption will be elaborately discussed here. Before that, we will read a user query.

“In our organization, there is a huge SQL database. For the last 6 months, we are frequently having index corruption issues in SQL Server. We rebuilt the index every time to fix it but doing it again and again is annoying. Please tell me how to get rid of this SQL Server index corruption permanently?”

Instant Fix: If you are looking for a quick method to resolve SQL index corruption, then you must try SysTools SQL Recovery Tool. This application is useful for SQL database corruption repair ad restore data in a healthy manner.

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Ways to Get Rid of SQL Server Database Index Corruption

To have a fully functioning SQL database, all of its components are needed to be free of corruption. In this section, we will learn how to fix index corruption issues with the help of different techniques.

Method 1: Manual Solution to Resolve Index Corruption in SQL Server

In this manual method, we will see how to fix corruption by rebuilding the index using Transact-SQL or T-SQL. Before performing this method, users are strongly advised to take backup of their SQL database. If any mishap occurs, the backup will come handy at that time.

How to Rebuild a Single Defragmented Index

  1. Connect Object Explorer to Database Engine by clicking on Object Explorer.
  2. Click on the option named New Query.
  3. Paste the below command to the query window. The chosen defragmented index will be rebuilt.
Index Corruption in SQL Server

How to Rebuild All Indexes

  1. First of all, click on Object Explorer and establish connection with Database Engine.
  2. Go to standard bar options to select New Query option.
  3. Copy & paste the command of the image below into the query window. After successful implementation of these steps, all table indexes will get repaired.
Alter Index SQL Server

Drawbacks of Index Rebuilding through Manual Method

Whoever wants to perform the manual technique must remember that there are some drawbacks of this method. Users need to invest quite some efforts to perform this method. They must also have technical knowledge to execute the steps. Moreover, the corruption issues might still exist even after rebuilding the index manually. For these reasons, people search for a reliable solution to resolve SQL Server database index corruption.

Method 2: Reliable Solution to Fix Index Corruption in SQL Server

There is no assurance whether the manual method would be able to fix the corrupt index of your SQL Server database or not. For guaranteed solution to resolve SQL index corruption, users can choose SQL Recovery Tool. It can resolve corruption issues in any SQL Server components. This application renders support for index files created by 2019, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, 2008 R2, 2005, and 2000 versions of SQL Server. The tool comes with two different modes of scanning. For mild corruptions, people can use quick scan mode and for highly damaged indexes, they can try the Advanced mode. Before recovering, it shows preview of recoverable components of SQL database. For any type of SQL Server corruption, this software is the favorite choice of the experts.

Conclusion

Whenever SQL index corruption is there, users need to fix this anyway to have a healthy SQL database. That is why we have discussed two methods to resolve index corruption in SQL Server. The manual method can be used to rebuild the corrupt index but it requires technical knowledge. On the other hand, SQL Recovery solution can be used without any hassle to repair SQL Server database index corruptions.