Recovering Microsoft Access Databases (*.mdb, *.accdb)

Read about recovering lost or deleted Access database files or their backup copies, and the most widespread causes of getting your database lost. Microsoft Access is one of the applications within the Microsoft Office package, which is a powerful, available and relatively easy tool for database management.

In Microsoft Access, you can import or read other database files, as well as Excel, SharePoint, Outlook folders, and XML or HTML text files. A user can independently create a database of contacts, tasks, events, projects or fixed assets etc.

All data can be saved into files without format data, .mdb (for earlier versions of Access) or .accdb (beginning with Access 2007).

Damage or Loss of Database Files

Despite all advantages of the application, damage or loss of quite a large Access database is a serious problem. Even if databases are stored in servers or RAID massives, data can be damaged or lost at any moment, which leaves you without access to important information.

The most widespread causes of database loss are the following:

  • Hardware error or failure
  • A software conflict
  • Accidental deleting of the file or formatting the media
  • Damaging a database file (most often, it happens to large databsse files)
  • Restoring a database from an outdated backup copy etc.

Access Database Backup Copy

Certainly, the best way to secure yourselves against loss of database is to create a backup copy which can help you to restore all or a part of the lost data, if necessary.

To create an Access database backup copy:

  • Open the database which you need to backup, and go to the File tab

  • Go to the menu «Save As»

  • In the «Advanced» submenu to the right of «Save Database As», choose «Back Up Database» and click on «Save As»

  • Specify the folder to save the database backup, and it will be saved there in the format: database name_backup creation date.accdb.

When saving a database backup you can change its name but we do not recommend it, because to use this backup you will need to know what database it comes from and when it was created.

The Function of Compacting and Repairing The Database

Over time, an Access database file can become very large and/or become damaged. In order to compress such database or repair and restore its damaged file, Access has got the function «Compact & Repair Database».

In order to compact and/or repair a database, go to the File tab and choose «Compact & Repair Database».

Here are the most frequent symptoms to suggest that an Access database file is damaged:

  • you see a message saying that the file is damaged or that its format is not supported by Access

  • you see all kinds of messages like «Cannot open a database…».

  • if data in Access tables is shown as «#Name» or «#Deleted»
  • Access shuts down suddenly while you are working with it, and then tries to send an error report
  • you see a message «Application error…» or «Runtime error…»
  • Also, there can be messages with an error code: 3011, 3259, 3112, 1017, 3159, 3197, 3343, 2486, 3167, 3734, 2239, 2573, 3000, 3078, 3045, 3019, 3015, 3043, 3163, 3001, 2573 etc.

If you couldn’t fix database errors with the help of the built-in tool, you can also use third-party software to do it.

How to Recover an Access Database If It Was Lost or Deleted

Recovering lost or deleted Access database files or their backup copies is no easy task. The .mdb and *.accdb files are usually very large and prone to errors and damage.

That is why, to recover lost or deleted Access files:

  • Run Hetman Partition Recovery and scan the drive (media) from which Access files were deleted

  • Choose the files which you need to recover and drag them to the recovery list, then click on «Recover»

Author: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Editor: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

What is Microsoft Access and how is it used?

Microsoft Access is a database management system that allows users to store, organize, view, analyze, and share data. It is used to create relational databases and helps users to manage large amounts of information. Access can be used to create tables, queries, forms, reports, and other objects. It can also be used to link to data in other applications such as Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.

What are some common causes of Microsoft Access database corruption?

  1. Incorrect shutdown of Access or the computer.
  2. Power outages or other system crashes.
  3. Hardware or software conflicts.
  4. Access database files become too large or too complex.
  5. Improper design of database objects.
  6. Access databases not being regularly backed up.
  7. Virus infections or malware attacks.
  8. Using Access in a multi-user environment without proper security measures.

How does database corruption affect the usability of Microsoft Access?

Database corruption can have a significant impact on the usability of Microsoft Access. When a database becomes corrupted, it can become inaccessible, cause data to be lost or corrupted, cause queries to fail, or cause errors when trying to open the database. Additionally, corrupted databases can be difficult to repair, and in some cases, the only solution may be to restore the database from a backup.

Can database corruption in Microsoft Access be prevented, and if so, how?

Yes, database corruption in Microsoft Access can be prevented. To do this, it is important to regularly back up the database, create a replication of the database, and keep the software and hardware up to date. Additionally, users should avoid using unsupported versions of Access, be careful when making changes to the database structure, and use the repair and compact features of Access regularly.

What are some common symptoms of a corrupted Microsoft Access database?

  1. Unexpected errors when trying to open the database.
  2. Unexpected errors when trying to run queries or other operations on the database.
  3. Missing or corrupt data in tables.
  4. Unusual behavior when trying to make changes to the database.
  5. Unexpected messages about the database being corrupted.
  6. Unexpected slowdowns or freezes when using the database.
  7. Inability to save changes to the database.
  8. Unexpected errors when trying to export data from the database.

Comments (13) #

  • Debbie H Lee 31.07.2020 20:23 #

    Is it free to recover or will it be a teaser view and only 500mg downloded for free?

    • Andrey Mareev 15.08.2020 14:39 #

      You will see the LivePreview before order

  • Billy Southcott 20.12.2016 20:33 #

    Are there any limitations or risks to consider when attempting to restore a corrupted Microsoft Access database?

    • Hetman Software 20.12.2016 20:55 #

      1. Database corruption can be caused by hardware or software issues, so it is important to identify and fix the underlying problem before attempting to restore the database.
      2. Restoring a corrupted database can cause data loss, so it is important to have a recent backup of the database available before attempting the restoration.
      3. If the corruption is due to a virus or malware, restoring the database may not be enough to remove the infection. It is important to scan the system for any malicious programs before attempting the restoration.
      4. If the corruption is due to a software bug, restoring the database may not fix the issue. It is important to update the software to the latest version before attempting the restoration.
      5. Restoring a corrupted database can be a time-consuming process, so it is important to plan accordingly and make sure you have enough time available to complete the restoration.
  • Asher Every 20.12.2016 17:36 #

    Can a corrupted Microsoft Access database lead to permanent data loss?

    • Hetman Software 20.12.2016 18:06 #

      Yes, a corrupted Microsoft Access database can lead to permanent data loss. If the database is not backed up or the backup is corrupted, the data may be lost forever. Additionally, if the corruption is severe enough, the data may be unrecoverable even with the help of a professional data recovery service.

  • Caden Moore-Bick 20.12.2016 13:21 #

    What are some best practices for backing up a Microsoft Access database to prevent data loss?

    • Hetman Software 20.12.2016 13:54 #

      1. Make sure to back up your database regularly. It is best to back up your database at least once a day or more often if you are making frequent changes.
      2. Use an external hard drive or cloud-based storage system to store your backups. This will ensure that your data is safe and secure even if your computer crashes or gets damaged.
      3. Make sure to encrypt your backups. This will help to protect your data from unauthorized access.
      4. Test your backups periodically to make sure that they are working properly and that all data is being properly backed up.
      5. Keep multiple copies of your backups in different locations. This will help to ensure that you have a backup available in case of an emergency.
  • Grayson Strefling 20.12.2016 09:08 #

    Are there any third-party tools or software that can assist in restoring a corrupted Microsoft Access database?

    • Hetman Software 20.12.2016 09:44 #

      Yes, there are a few third-party tools that can help restore a corrupted Microsoft Access database. These include Stellar Repair for Access, DataNumen Access Repair, AccessFIX Database Recovery, and Kernel for Access Database Repair.

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery 20.07.2018 12:22 #

    Read about recovering Microsoft Access Databases (*.mdb, *.accdb) and recommend it to friends. If you do have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our technical support service - we will be happy to help you.

    • shahramdindoost 23.12.2019 10:25 #

      i have shift+deleted my accsess file ): it really works? i had used more than 6softwares and tney couldnt find my file

      • Andrey Mareev 24.12.2019 17:07 #

        The program gives you a free preview of recoverable files. If You like what you see - you can recover it.

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