-- Check database state SELECT name, state_desc, recovery_model_desc FROM sys.databases WHERE name = 'YourDatabaseName'; -- View error log entries for recovery failures EXEC sp_readerrorlog 0, 1, 'recovery', 'YourDatabaseName';
-- 4. Bring online ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET ONLINE;
Also review the Windows Event Log (Application and System) for disk or I/O errors. ⚠️ Warning: Never detach a database in Recovery Pending state. Detaching flushes metadata and can make recovery impossible. Always use the methods below. Method 1: Emergency Mode Rescue (Safest & Most Common) This forces the database into EMERGENCY mode (read-only, bypassing recovery), allowing you to salvage data or repair the log.
-- Check disk space on log drive EXEC master.sys.xp_fixeddrives; mssql database recovery pending
-- 3. Rebuild the log file (SQL Server 2016+) ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName REBUILD LOG ON (NAME=YourDatabaseName_log, FILENAME='D:\NewPath\YourDatabaseName_log.ldf');
-- 1. Set emergency mode ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET EMERGENCY; -- 2. Enable allow page locks (critical for export) ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET SINGLE_USER;
"Database Recovery Pending" is one of the most dreaded states an SQL Server database can enter. It’s not a crash, but it’s a standoff—the database is alive but refuses to let anyone in. For an administrator, this state translates directly to application downtime, frustrated users, and immediate pressure to act. Detaching flushes metadata and can make recovery impossible
When in doubt, engage a SQL Server recovery specialist—some states cannot be fixed with standard commands without irreversible data loss.
-- Restore full backup with recovery RESTORE DATABASE YourDatabaseName FROM DISK = 'D:\Backups\YourDB_full.bak' WITH REPLACE, RECOVERY; -- Then restore subsequent log backups RESTORE LOG YourDatabaseName FROM DISK = 'D:\Backups\YourDB_log.trn' WITH RECOVERY; When the log is beyond repair and no backup exists:
-- Step 3: Run DBCC CHECKDB (repair with data loss risk) DBCC CHECKDB (YourDatabaseName, REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS); -- Check disk space on log drive EXEC master
-- 1. Set emergency mode (as above) ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET EMERGENCY; -- 2. Run consistency check without repairs DBCC CHECKDB (YourDatabaseName);
For older versions, use DBCC CHECKDB(YourDatabaseName, REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS) after step 2. If you have a recent full backup + log backups, this is the only guaranteed safe method:
-- Step 4: Bring back online ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET MULTI_USER; ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET ONLINE; REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS removes corrupt pages or log records. Only use if backups are unavailable. Method 2: Rebuild Transaction Log (Zero Data Loss – If Log is Corrupt) If the log file is corrupt but the data file is intact, you can rebuild the log: