Share via

Troublshooting SQL Database Suspect Mode

  • Article

One of the worst situations that a SQL Server database administrator could face is to get a call alert accounting for the database in “Suspect” state. SQL database is marked as suspect when primary group file is corrupt and when SQL Server tries to start, database cannot be recovered during that time.  In this article, we will articulate some steps which can be used to recover SQL database from suspect mode in best possible way.

Take The First Step Towards Recovery

Now, to find the root cause as why the data is being put into suspect mode, refer the error log list. In case you are using SQL Server edition above 2005, use of filter whilst viewing log is recommended. By doing this, you will see logs related to particular database only and thus by referring the latest log, you can determine the root cause of the issue.

Now, the Possibilities That Might Put Your Data In Suspect Mode And Resolutions!

First Probability: Sometimes, when SQL Server data or log file gets misplaced or deleted while the SQL Server Database was in offline mode, then in that situation data cannot be recovered when you start SQL Server because of missing files. To recover SQL database from suspect mode under such circumstances, you need to place the missing files at their original location. In error log, the SQL Server error will provide correct name and path of the file that are deleted or missing from its location.

Second Probability: Another cause of SQL Server database being in suspect mode is corrupted transaction. In this case, you might lose data and a reliable backup can help to deal with the situation. The basis behind the issue is guarantee taken by SQL Server to ascertain consistency of transaction under ACID property of Relation Database Management System. This happens basically when SQL Server is shut down or restarted unexpectedly in between the transaction and at the time of rejoining, complete transaction could not take place. At this stage, to recover SQL database from suspect mode, a good backup should be utilized.

Third Probability: Now, in case where you find corruption in data file, the likelihood is your Operating System or hardware is failing in their performance. For this type of failure, one must employ an extraneous solution to recover SQL database from suspect mode.