How to Troubleshoot Inconsistent Metadata Issues in MSSQL Stored Procedures?

Are you struggling with the Inconsistent Metadata Issues in MSSQL Stored Procedures? Or do you want to learn how to fix metadata issues in stored procedures in Microsoft SQL? There are instances when you may encounter the situation of resolving the inconsistent issue in SQL Server. If you are someone who is looking for a solution to accomplish the task, then this post is for you.

In the informative guide, we will tell you what is metadata in SQL Server and the reasons behind inconsistent metadata issues. Not only that, we will discuss the best and most effective solutions to do so.

Understanding the Metadata in SQL Server

In SQL Server, data that describes another data within SQL database is referred to as metadata. This comprises complete information about the structure, organization, and characteristics of the database and its objects, such as tables, views, indexes, stored procedures, and more.

Potential Reasons Behind Metadata Issues in Stored Procedures in MS SQL

There are many reasons why users might encounter inconsistent metadata issues in the SQL Server database. Here, we highlight the common ones.

1. Database Corruption: Database corruption is typically caused by file (MDF/LDF) corruption within the database itself causing inconsistencies. However, every SQL Server user should remember to pre-check how they can take care of an inconsistent meta-data problem of stored procedures in MS SQL which could become their headache in the future.
2. Schema Changes: Schema changes are another common cause for this problem where alteration of objects in a database used by a stored procedure (such as views, tables, etc) may result in inconsistent metadata.
3. Manual Script Editing: When you modify/change stored procedures directly by changing the script definition outside of SSMS or other development tools, there is always a possibility that might cause metadata issues.
4. Problems with permissions: Users in SQL Server databases who want access to information on stored procedures may face the same issue with permissions and metadata if they do not have a specific right.
5. Existence of Software Bugs: Although not the frequent one, but still, the problem could also be due to software bugs and errors in the actual SQL server.

How to Detect Inconsistent Metadata Issues in MSSQL Stored Procedures?

In case you want to handle the task by yourself, consider using the manual solution. But be very careful about how you run the command because an error or skipping any single step may lead to critical issues.

Use DBCC CHECKDB Command

Simply, use the DBCC CHECKDB command for fixing the inconsistent metadata issue. This command is mainly used to check the physical and logical integrity of all the objects in the specified database. It performs several internal consistency checks on the SQL database.

Here’s how to use it:

DBCC CHECKDB (database_name)

Note: Replace the database_name with the actual name of your database that you want to check.

Also Read: How to Resolve SQL Server Error 3414? Quickly

How to Resolve Inconsistent Metadata Issues in MS SQL Stored Procedures?

There are several methods available to fix the inconsistent metadata issues in MS SQL stored procedures smoothly. Here, we mention the common ones that you can use to perform the task.

# 1 Re-compile the Stored Procedure

If you want to fix this, then you can recompile your stored procedure. So for that, run the following command:

EXEC sp_recompile getBirthdate

# 2 Attempt to Modify a Stored Procedure in SQL Server

You can use the ALTER PROCEDURE statement and check if it can be modified/changed. This method involves attempting to alter the stored procedure’s definition to integrate any required modifications, such as changing the procedure’s logic, parameters, or other features.

Follow the below-mentioned command-

ALTER PROCEDURE dbo.getBirthdate
@LoginID nvarchar(256)
AS
BEGIN
SET NOCOUNT ON;
SELECT BirthDate
FROM HumanResources.Employee
WHERE LoginID = @LoginID;
END

# 3 Drop & Create Again

Another option is to drop the stored procedure and try to create it again. For that, use the following statement to drop the stored procedure in SQL Server.

drop procedure dbo.getBirthdate

# 4 SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

Now, you can opt for the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to perform the task. It is a built-in feature provided by the Microsoft. To fix this issue, run the following steps-

Step-by-step guide to deleting a stored procedure using SSMS:

1. Launch SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) on your desktop and connect to the Server instance.
2. Under the Object Explorer go to Databases >>> Your Database.
3. Now, expand the “Programmability” folder, then expand the “Stored Procedures” folder to find out the stored procedure that you want to delete.
4. Then, right-click on the stored procedure and choose the “Delete” option from the context menu.

Highlighted: If you see permission errors, it could be because you have permission for the stored procedure but not for the tables it uses. This can cause issues when the user attempts to delete the stored procedure via a query.

Also Read: How to Solve Microsoft SQL Server Error 2? Effortlessly

What Will You Do If The Above-Mentioned Method Does Not Work?

If the aforementioned fail to resolve “inconsistent metadata issues in stored procedures in MS SQL,” then you can use a third-party tool to fix the error. I did a lot of research after that I found a good tool called SysTools SQL Recovery Tool that can fix the corruption issue in just a few clicks.

It is the most reliable and powerful software for recovering corrupted MDF & LDF database files. Also, it instantly recovers the deleted database objects such as triggers, tables, views, indexes, stored procedures, rules, & other items.

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Step-by-step procedure to fix Inconsistent Metadata Issues in MSSQL Stored Procedures:

Step 1. Launch and run the software and then navigate to the Open button to add the MDF files.
Step 2. Next, Select the Quick Scan option to repair corrupted files (MDF/LDF) as well and choose the MDF file version.
Step 3. Preview all the recovered database objects, including tables, triggers, stored procedures, functions, etc.
Step 4. Afterward, hit the Export option to export the recovered database. Then, a new window will open, here fill in the required details.
Step 5. Lastly, hit the Export button to finish the process.

The Final Verdict

To sum up the post, we discussed the different techniques to fix inconsistent Metadata Issues in MSSQL Stored Procedures. You can go with either the manual solutions or the professional tool. Additionally, we have discussed the potential reasons behind this inconsistent metadata issue.

Furthermore, we have uncovered the expert-suggested tool to perform the task. It is a 100% safe & secure option for both technical and nontechnical users.