How to Restore Tail-Log Backup in SQL Server? Best Ways Explained

Written By Andrew Jackson

Approved By Anuraag Singh

Modified On February 12th, 2026

Reading Time 9 Min Read

Database administrators often encounter situations that require them to know the effective ways for how to restore tail-log backup in SQL Server. However, with the different types of backups available with SQL databases, it becomes confusing for them to know which backup method to choose and how they benefit the database. With the help of this write-up, we will learn the steps on how to take tail-log backup before restore in SQL Server. We will also discuss the challenges and best practices to avoid any data loss risk during the process.

What is SQL Server Tail Log Backup? Overview

The tail-log backup in SQL Server can be explained as the last and final backup of the transaction log file right before the database is restored. The main purpose of this backup is to record the recent changes made in the database after the last transaction log backup. To simplify the definition, we will now understand why this method is helpful for the users. When the database faces a corruption or failure, there always remains a gap between the last backup taken and the time when the issue occurs.

In such cases, users prefer to take tail-log backup before restore to avoid the risk of data loss. This log backup type saves all the transactions committed during the gap, and allows users to secure their data even in times of database corruption or failure. Let’s now take a look at the benefits of taking tail-log backups in SQL Server.

Advantages of SQL Server Tail-Log Backup

The major benefit is that it allows users to prevent data loss risks by recording all the transactions after the last committed transaction log backup, and further allows DBAs to restore that without any gaps between backups.
The next benefit of this backup is that it allows the recovery of transaction logs upto the latest point. This further helps with restoring the data close to the time of failure.
Offers a consistent restore process by putting the SQL Database in Restoring Mode, which further prevents users from making any changes during the restoration process.
Helps database administrators and users with disaster recovery and emergencies where restoration is required, such as database corruption, server crash, or accidental deletion of SQL data.
Ensures a safer initiation of the restoration process as the last committed transactional data has been recorded.

How to Restore Tail-Log Backup in SQL Server? Learning the Steps

Before beginning with the steps to take the backup, we will first understand the prerequisites of the process, and then learn the steps for the backup and restoration effectively.

Prerequisites for SQL Server Tail-Log Backup

The users must use the FULL or BULK_LOGGED recovery model for taking tail-log backups in the database.
Users need to make the transaction log file accessible to SQL Server for this backup.
It is also crucial for the users to ensure that the log chain is not broken.
The database whose backup is to be taken must exist and not be dropped during or before the process.
It is required for the users to have the necessary permissions to perform the backup and restoration process in the database.
Sufficient disk space is also needed during the backup or restoration of the database.

These are the prerequisites one must know and follow for the ‘How to Restore Tail-Log Backup in SQL Server’ process. We will now take a look at the steps on how to take tail-log backup before restore.

Steps to Take Tail-Log Backup and Restore to SQL Server Database

Here are the steps that will allow users to efficiently take a backup of the transaction log in the database and help users restore it when needed.

Step 1: To record the transactions and take the tail log backup in SQL Server, it is important to ensure that the database is not already in the restoring state. The restoring state restricts the users from performing any operations within the database. Hence, it becomes important to check if the database is in restoring or not.

Step 2: Once verified, now use the given command to take tail-log backup before restore.
BACKUP LOG Database_Name
TO DISK = 'E:\Backups\Database_Name_TailLog.trn'
WITH NORECOVERY;
This command helps with the following things:

Helps backup the log records that have not been backed up already.

Records the latest part of the transaction log.

Puts the database in restoring mode, restricting users from making any changes during the process.

Step 3: The next step is to check whether the backup is fully completed. This will help ensure that the tail-log backup process is completed successfully without any errors, and a secure restoration can be initiated now. Here is the command that will help verify the backup file:
RESTORE VERIFYONLY
FROM DISK = 'E:\Backups\Database_Name_TailLog.trn';

What if SQL Server Database or Transaction Log is Damaged?

While executing the how to restore tail-log backup in SQL Server process, users often encounter various issues. We will now take a look at some of these damages and issues, and will further learn how they can be avoided.

The most common factors or damages in the database log file are due to sudden power failure in the database or due to forced or improper shutdown.
Due to storage or disk failures, oftentimes the database files, i.e., MDF, NDFand LDF files are affected.
In case there is an underlying database corruption, users will face challenges with taking a transaction log backup and further restoring it.
If there are repeated I/O errors in SQL Server Error Logs, they might lead to creating challenges during or before the operation.

These are some of the issues that users commonly encounter in the SQL Server environment and can affect how to restore tail-log backup in SQL Server process. In such cases, it is always optimal to choose a professional solution like SysTools SQL Log Analyzer Tool. This smart utility allows users to resolve and repair transaction log-related errors and further carry out the tail-log backup and restoration process efficiently.

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Steps to Repair the Transaction Log File Smartly

Install and run the tool. Click on Open button.
Choose Offline or Online mode. Add database authentication details in the tool and further select the desired database.
After scanning the files, preview the transaction log record in the software.
Click on the Export button to save the scanned and recovered data to a desired destination.

These steps allow users to repair the damaged log file in the SQL Server environment. Furthermore, users can easily save the data missing in the transaction log due to an error or damage. Now, after taking the backup, it is time to restore the tail-log backup in the database.

How to Restore SQL Server Tail-Log Backup Easily?

After taking the backup of the transaction log in SQL Server upto the latest point, it is now time to restore the backup file to the database. We will now take a look at the steps that will help users and further allow them to secure their data without any data loss.

Step 1: The first step is to restore full database with the most recent backup. This will help users to restore the complete database and further keeps the database in restoring mode. Below is the command that will help users with the same:
RESTORE DATABASE Database_Name
FROM DISK = 'E:\Backups\Database_Name_Full.bak'
WITH NORECOVERY;
This step makes it easier for the database to accept any additional backups.

Step 2: Next step is to restore the transaction log backups in the database. Restore all the transaction log backups taken after the full backup of the database. These backups must be in the sequence of their creation. Below is the command to help users with this restoration.
RESTORE LOG Database_Name
FROM DISK = 'E:\Backups\Database_Name_Log1.trn'
WITH NORECOVERY;
RESTORE LOG Database_Name
FROM DISK = 'E:\Backups\Database_Name_Log2.trn'
WITH NORECOVERY;
Once completing these steps, it’s time to restore the tail-log backup in the database. We will now use the given command for the same and bring the database online afterwards.
RESTORE LOG Database_Name
FROM DISK = 'E:\Backups\Database_Name_TailLog.trn'
WITH RECOVERY;

This command will allow database administrators to restore the tail-log backup in the database in a more effective and secure way. These steps and commands will help the users with the how to restore tail-log backup in SQL Server process.

Best Practices for Safer Tail-Log Backup and Restore Process

Always check and ensure that the database is running in the FULL or BULK_LOGGED recovery model.. SIMPLE recovery model doesn’t support this backup type.
It is important to take the tail log backup right before starting the restore operation. It will prevent any gaps between the last recorded transaction and the restore sequence.
Before beginning the restore process, verify the tail-log backup file with the help of validation commands.
Ensure the order of the backup files remain same at the time of restoration. Doing this will avoid breaking the log chain during the process.
It is important to monitor the SQL error logs to detect any failures or missing transaction log files. This will ensure the process goes smoothly and doesn’t affect the process altogether.

Conclusion

Through this article, we have learnt the effective ways for how to restore tail-log backup in SQL Server. To understand it easily, we have explained what tail logs in SQL Server are and how they benefit users. Furthermore, we have discussed the prerequisites and the effective steps for the process. This will help the users carry out the tail-log backup and restoration process easily.