How to Fix SQL Database in Restoring Mode – An Elaborated Manual

Have you encountered an issue with the SQL database stuck in the process of restoring, and aren’t aware of what to do next? Not to worry, with the help of this write-up, we will discuss this issue and how to fix SQL database in restoring mode in the most efficient ways. 

But, to make the issue more understandable for the users, let’s now take a look at what this state is and what the possible causes are for the MSSQL database in restoring mode. 

SQL Database Stuck in Restoring – What Does It Mean?

To understand the process of how to fix SQL database in restoring mode, we must know what restoring mode is. As the name suggests, the restoring mode in SQL Server specifies that the database is under a restoring process and cannot be used meanwhile. This generally occurs when the user tries to recover the database with the WITH NORECOVERY option. This command tells the SQL Server to wait for the backup files. The restoring state generally specifies that the database has not completed the recovery process yet, and the database will only be accessible when the process is completed. 

But, how could this create a problem, and what could be the possible causes for the SQL database stuck in restoring? Let’s now move to understanding the causes and then finding appropriate solutions for how to fix SQL database in restoring mode.

Major Causes For Database Stuck in Restoring

• One of the causes for the database to be stuck in restoring is the incomplete restore process. The database will be stuck in restoring if the user has executed the restore database command with the WITH NORECOVERY command, but forgot to implement the WITH RECOVERY command to finalize the process.
• If, during the restoring process, the server crashes or fails, it will leave the database stuck in the restoring state, making the database inaccessible for any query execution. 
• A few other causes for the same can be corruption in backup files or network issues during the process. 

These causes require the users to understand the root cause of the error first and then find the best workarounds to resolve the issue. Furthermore, situations like corruption in the file require them to learn the appropriate methods for fix corrupted SQL Server backup file and ensure they are using the correct commands for the recovery process. 

Moving to the possible challenges the users might encounter due to the database being stuck in the restoring process, and finding the best solutions for how to fix SQL database in restoring mode.

Possible Obstacles While Repairing SQL Restoring Process

There are various challenges encountered by users when they have a database stuck in restoring mode and try to repair it. We will now take a look at these challenges to find the appropriate methods to resolve them accordingly. 

• If the database backup file required to bring the database back online is missing or is corrupted, it will become complex to bring the database back online. 
• While stuck in restoring mode, the database becomes inaccessible to the users and the applications relying on the affected database.
• An incomplete data recovery process, or implementing incorrect methods to force the process, can result in data integrity and consistency risks, requiring the users to know how to fix SQL database in restoring mode. 
• The major impact of the issue is on the organization’s workflow, as the SQL database stuck in restoring can lead to prolonged downtime till it is resolved. 

With all these challenges and obstacles during the recovery process, it often becomes difficult for the users to proceed with fixing the MSSQL database in restoring mode. We will now take a look at the best solutions that will help the users fix the issue and access the database efficiently. 

How to Fix SQL Database in Restoring Mode – Top Methods Explained

Depending on the various causes for the database to be stuck in restoring mode, here are a few solutions that will help users overcome the issue. We will go through these methods one by one for a better understanding of the solutions. Let’s begin by learning the first method to resolve the issue. 

Method 1: Fix SQL Database Stuck in Restoring by Using WITH RECOVERY Command

As we read earlier, one of the reasons for the database to be locked in restoring mode is the incomplete command execution. Hence, to resolve the issue, we will implement the WITH Recovery command to efficiently fix the MSSQL database in restoring mode issue. Given below is the way this command will be implemented.

RESTORE DATABASE [Database_Name] WITH RECOVERY;

Users have to finish the process by using this command at the end of the query they executed to recover the database. This will allow them to access the database stuck in restoring mode. Now, moving to the next method for how to fix SQL database in restoring mode, let’s see how that will be helpful and how it can be implemented.

Method 2: Resolve the Issue By Unchecking the Transaction Logs

Another method to resolve the issue is by unchecking the transaction log in the SQL Server. The transaction logs during the database recovery might create issues and further result in the database becoming inaccessible due to restoring mode. Hence, unchecking these logs will allow the server to perform a simple recovery process in the database, avoiding the restore mode issue. 

Let’s take a look at how to execute this method without facing any issues. 

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio and connect to the SQL Server Instance.
2. Right-click on the affected database and go to the Restore option from the dialog box. 
3. Find the transaction log option and deselect it to fix the MSSQL database in restoring mode. 

This method will help the users to avoid any issues created by missing or corrupted log files. Additionally, doing this will allow the database to have a simplified recovery process and further make the database accessible again for the users. Let’s now move to the next method to resolve the issue effectively.

Method 3: How to Fix SQL Database in Restoring Mode Professionally

After manual methods, we will now learn how to resolve the SQL database stuck in restoring issue professionally. The solution we will be using is the SQL Database Repair Software.

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With the help of this tool, users can effectively carry out the recovery process.  And also resolve any problems created due to corruption in the database. 

Here are the steps that will allow the users to bring the database back online effectively. 

1. Install and launch the professional solution. Click on the Open button to add the database files of the affected database in the software.
2. After loading the files, the tool will perform a scan and check for any corruption in the database. 
3. Next, after the scan is complete, preview the database files and further click on the export button.
4. In the Export window, add the destination database credentials. You can restore the database on an existing database, or further create a new database to restore the files. 
5. Add the authentication details. Then, click on the export button to successfully resolve how to fix SQL database in restoring mode. 

These steps will allow you to access the database again in a hassle-free way after the restore mode issue. The tool allows you to resolve the issue in a matter of time, preventing any downtime on the server. 

These methods will help you resolve the issue and access the database again in a convenient way. Furthermore, here are some practices that will help users prevent this issue from occurring and keep the database secure. Let’s discuss these practices to safeguard the database and avoid the SQL database stuck in restoring issue.

Safety Measures to Secure Database From Restoring Mode

So far, we have learned the solutions for how to fix SQL database in restoring mode. Now, here are some security tips that will allow users to prevent this issue from occurring. 

• It is safe to always use the WITH RECOVERY command to finish the restore process effectively. 
• There are times when the restoring mode issue can occur due to the log shipping setup. Hence, to avoid that, users can monitor log shipping alerts to avoid issues before they lead to bigger problems. 
• Testing the restore process in a testing environment is also beneficial for the users. It will allow them to understand if there are any issues during the process. They can further resolve them and then successfully implement them in the production environment. 
• Reviewing SQL Server error logs will help users understand the issues related to the restore process on the server. 
• Check and verify the backup file integrity before the recovery process. This will ensure the database backup files are safe for the recovery and won’t cause any other issues. 

Conclusion

In this technical write-up, we have learned thoroughly about how to fix SQL database in restoring mode issue. We also understood the causes and the possible challenges of this issue. Furthermore, we have suggested the best solutions that will help users to resolve the SQL database stuck in restoring issue. Also, these methods will help to make the database accessible again.