MDF File Recovery – How to Read & Repair Corrupt MDF Files?

Summary: NDF and MDF are the two main data storage techniques in the SQL Server, They store the database information such as functions, tables, indexes, and triggers. It can also be called a primary database file. No doubt the MDF file has exceptional facilities, But sometimes users still face some corruption due to virus attacks, and sudden shutdown, Well you can fix the issue without any further assistance, you just need to read the complete article. We are about to tell you two different methods to resolve your problem.

1. A manual method 
2. The professional approach to MDF file recovery. 

Possible Causes Behind the Corruption of the MDF & NDF Files

Before going the further procedure, you need to know the reasons responsible for the 

NDF & NDF file corruption.

• Power supply interruption can be the major cause of file corruption. However, it can be considered as a major cause.
• File compression ( Do not compress your .mdf and .ndf files)
• Viruses and bug attacks can damage the file.
• Disk driver and controller issues can also corrupt the file 
• Modification in the SQL account 
• Outdated versions of Windows and SQL servers may be the prominent causes.
• Glitches in the software.

How do I fix a corrupted MDF file? A Manual Method

I know you must have a question in your mind, Can a corrupted file be repaired? The answer is absolutely yes, you can repair corrupt .mdf file. Here we will elaborate on the solutions to answer your query. Without any further delay let’s go to restore MDF file using the DBCC CHECKDB commands.

Must Read These Points

• Firstly, we use DBCC CHECKDB as a method to troubleshoot the .mdf and .ndf files 
• Now, Run this command to check the integrity of the tables, functions, and other objects of the SQL database 

Follow these steps to run the DBCC CHECKDB and repair corrupt MDF file.

Using the below-mentioned command run the DBCC CHECKDB command on the corrupted SQL database.

Command 1-

• DBCC CHECKDB (Database Name ): To check the complete database to repair in the query manager.
• REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS: – This command can be used to repair the data used by the allocation and deallocation of rows. It eliminates corrupted text, errors, page faults, row and column errors.
• REPAIR_FAST: – It is used for MDF file recovery in minimal time, but it can make minor changes only.
• DBCC CHECKTABLE (TABLE_NAME): – This command is used in the command line or query manager to recover a corrupt SQL database table.

To perform these commands you should have MS SQL Server Management Studio installed in your system. To repair MDF file, you need to open it in your system, after that follow these mentioned steps.

• Open the Toolbar and click New Query
• Now go to the new query page
• Enter the following script

EXEC sp_resetstatus [DATABASE_NAME];

ALTER DATABASE [DATABASE_NAME] SET EMERGENCY

DBCC CHECKDB ([DATABASE_NAME])

ALTER DATABASE [DATABASE_NAME] SET SINGLE_USER WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE

DBCC DATABASE ([DATABASE_NAME], REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS)

ALTER DATABASE [DATABASE_NAME] SET MULTI_USER

• Finally, click Execute to start the recovery of the MDF file.

In conclusion, you will get the repaired .mdf file. If you have completed all these steps successfully then you will get a good result. Moreover, you can use the third-party file repair tool.

A Professional Approach to Corrupted MDF File Recovery

A proficient tool that can help you to restore MDF file. The DRS SQL Database Recovery Tool is the best and most reliable SQL recovery tool. If we talk about its features, It can restore database objects from corrupted or damaged MDF/NDF files. Users also can fix Recovery Pending State in the SQL Server Database very precisely. This software can repair MDF file, tables, triggers, indexes, procedures, functions, rules, etc. along with the various file recovery modes for restoring data from the corrupted files. SQL data recovery tool supports SQL database files created by any version of SQL Server and is compatible with all versions of Windows OS. All the specifications are possible because this tool is specifically designed to repair the .mdf file.

Steps to Repair Corrupt MDF File

Follow these steps carefully to repair MDF file without any data alteration and with the maintenance of the data integrity.

• Download the DRS SQL Recovery Tool and run it as an administrator.
• Click the Open option and add the corrupted database file.
• Now select the damaged MDF file.
• Select the Mode of Recovery and click  OK to proceed.
• Now, a preview of recovered items will have appeared. check the required entries and click on the Save button.
• Now choose from either Windows Authentication or Server Authentication.
• You can choose the remaining tool options as per your needs.
• In the final step click on the OK button to save the recovered items.

Finally, your corrupted MDF and NDF file has been recovered, Now you can read and use all the recovered files according to your preference.

Conclusion

However, In this article, we have shared reliable methods to repair corrupt MDF file. The manual approach is easy to perform but comes with certain limitations. Therefore, we have shared an alternative solution to MDF file recovery.  The method provides 100% accurate results in less time. Moreover, users can use the tool according to their preferences.