SQL Database Cannot Be Opened. It is In The Middle of a Restore – Issue Resolved
Microsoft SQL Server allows the user to back up their data to protect data from damage and loss and create a .bak file. SQL users can easily restore the database from the backup file (BAK) using the SSMS or T-SQL command as needed. Sometimes when the restoration is complete and users try to access their SQL data, the following error is displayed on the screen: SQL Database cannot be Opened. It is in the middle of a restore.
This error occurs because the administrator used NORECOVERY mode for restoration and it does not allow the use of the database. Now you should use WITH RECOVERY MODE to restore the database so that you can easily access the data. Before proceeding with the process to fix this error, first, read the user query that has encountered the same problem.
Real User Query
Hello, I just restored a database without recovery (which I later want to set to read-only). The restore operation resulted in “successfully restored,” but I can not access this database at all, because the error message “Database cannot be opened, it is in the middle of a restore”. It has been in this state for a while. How do I get out of this state?
Fix SQL Database Cannot Be Opened. It is In The Middle of a Restore Issue
To rectify this error, we need to use the WITH RECOVERY option. Follow these steps to do the same:
T-SQL Script For Restoring Database WITH RECOVERY
RESTORE DATABASE Databasename FROM DISK = ‘C:\databasename.BAK’
WITH RECOVERY
GO
Recover a Database from the ‘Restoring’ State
If the database is in the restoring state and unavailable to users, run the command to make it accessible to users.
RESTORE DATABASE Databasename WITH RECOVERY
GO
Restore Multiple Backups using WITH RECOVERY option
The user can use the NORECOVERY option to restore the database & solve error 927 SQL Server in case if the user has multiple backups except in the last. But for the last backup, the user must use WITH RECOVERY option to restore all transaction logs and put the database online.
RESTORE DATABASE databasename FROM DISK = ‘C:\Databasename.BAK’
WITH NORECOVERY
GO
RESTORE LOG databasename FROM DISK = ‘C:\Databasename.TRN’
WITH RECOVERY
GOAlso Read: How to Fix SQL Server Error 926 Manually without any Errors?
Restore Database Using SSMS Method
You can also run the SQL Server database recovery process with SQL Server Management Studio. Follow these steps for the same:
Step-1. Start SSMS and select the Databases in the menu list. Next, right-click the Databases and then click Restore Database option
Step-2. Select the “From Device” option and click the Browse button
Step-3. In the “Specify Backup Wizard”, select the .bak file and click OK
Step-4. In the Destination for the restore option, select the database where you want to save the data.
Step-5. In the Restore options, enable the option ‘Overwrite the existing database (WITH REPLACE).
Step-6. In the Recovery state, select the option ‘Leave the database ready to use by rolling back uncommitted transactions. Additional transaction logs cannot be restored. (RESTORE WITH RECOVERY)’
Step-7. Click OK to start the process. After the restore operation completes, perform the same operation for each backup (.bak) file that you want to restore.
SQL Database Cannot Be Opened. It is In The Middle of a Restore Issue Not Resolved?
If any of these methods do not work to fix this error, you must use the SQL database recovery software. This is a professional solution to resolve all SQL Server database errors without data modification. It supports any version of SQL Server such as 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, and so on. With this tool, you can easily repair damaged MDF and NDF files and restore the SQL database with just a few clicks. The software is also helpful to recover deleted records from the table.
Tip: If your backup file (.bak) is corrupted, you need to recover it first because there is no way to restore corrupt backup files. You can do this using the SQL Backup Recovery Tool.
Follow the below steps to repair the corruption of the data files. Evidently, this way users can solve the database cannot be opened. it is in the middle of a restore mirroring with ease.
Step-1. Launch the Automated Tool in your system.
Step-2. Add MDF File using the Open button at the top.
Step-3. Select the Quick or Advanced Scan modes here.
Step-4. Select Destination Server, CSV, or Script File.
Step-5. Hit the Export button at the end of the operation.
Additional Features of the Recovery Tool
The software helps recover SQL MDF and NDF files that are corrupted or inaccessible. It offers multiple features and some of them are-
- Recover Corrupt MDF file of any SQL Server version.
- Preview and repair all database objects like tables, rules, functions, etc.
- Supports ASCII and UNICODE data type.
- Option to restore the recovered data directly to the live SQL Server Database.
- Able to restore the deleted SQL Server table’s records.
Evidently, these features help users to solve this error 927 SQL Server without any hassles at all. Moreover, there are several other errors that this automated solution can easily resolve.
Also Read: Best Solution to Resolve SQL Server Error 945 Instantly
Drawbacks of the Manual Method to Fix SQL Database Cannot be Opened Issue
The manual solution is full of shortcomings & users must be aware of them. Therefore, let’s quickly go through these in depth.
- The manual solution does not guarantee results for users.
- All the users need to be aware of the technicalities in depth.
- There is involvement of long complex steps in this procedure.
- The manual solution is risky & users might lose their data files.
- It’s common for users to compromise efficiency with error 927 in SQL Server DB.
- The manual method is not capable of providing results with the expected accuracy.
Apart from these, there can be N number of other drawbacks that users need to keep in mind along with the counter actions. Otherwise, the manual solution can be the worst choice for them.
Final Words
Here we have discussed how to deal with SQL Database cannot be opened. It is in the middle of a restore mirroring issue. We explained the manual method with SSMS and T-SQL command to resolve this error. If you can not fix this problem manually, you can use the automated solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: You can manually rectify this error and restore the database using the WITH RECOVERY MODE.
Ans: Generally it is not possible to do it manually. To do this, you need automated software such as the SQL Recovery Tool. This way you can restore the database without backup.
Ans: Using the mentioned automated solution, you can easily restore only MDF file in SQL Server.
Q-4. How do I fix SQL database in emergency mode?
Ans: In case your database is in emergency mode, Immediately restore the last backup file and recover all of the data files of the database to avoid any hassles. There are chances that users can’t recover the database due to corruption issues. Here, the automated solution comes into the show to avoid such issues & repair files.
Q-5. What to do if SQL is not opening?
Ans: In case your SQL database is not opening, there are a few things to keep in mind. Let’s have a look at them in depth.
- Firstly, identify the Error.
- Verify Startup Service Type as:
- Automatic
- Manual
- Make sure Account credentials are valid.
- Now, just, check the ERRORLOG as well.