Tips To Recover SQL Database From Suspect Mode

Read time 9 minutes

Occasionally, Database Administrators, or DBAs, face an uncommon but potentially sudden issue known as Suspect Mode.

In unusual cases, database administrators discover that the SQL Database has become inaccessible and is labeled as Suspect.

The Suspect Mode poses a challenge as it indicates an initiated but incomplete recovery process. In this scenario, administrators are uncertain about the database’s restoration and are perplexed regarding the necessary actions to be taken

In this article, we’ll discuss the database suspect mode situation and things like what the consequences will be if you encounter the same and will walk you through some tips to recover SQL Database from suspect mode.

The article outlines steps to resolve Suspect Mode using DBCC CHECKDB and ALTER DATABASE commands. Note that these commands may delete data if corruption is present. It’s advisable to use specialized software for safe database recovery. After recovery, the database can be saved to SQL Server for normal use.

What Happens When SQL Server Marks the Database as Suspect?

Before we start, let us see what happens when the SQL Server marks the database as Suspect?

When a database is marked as Suspect by SQL Server, it becomes inaccessible, posing a significant risk of immediate data loss.

In simpler terms, if the primary file group of a database is damaged, it’s labeled as Suspect. This renders the database inaccessible during SQL Server startup.

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There are numerous factors that can result in a similar scenario, and the specific cause may vary each time it occurs.

Below are a few arguments from many that state why the SQL Server marks the database as Suspect:

• Hardware Failure.
• Database server faces improper shutdown.
• Unavailability of log files.
• Lack of disk space.
• Unavailability of database files.
• Log files are corrupt.
• Unavailability of the database resource.
• Incorrect assertion of free data page space upon insertion of a new row.
• Third-party software and applications inflictions to SQL database
• SQL cannot finish a roll forward and roll back operation.

Addressing the Suspect Mode problem can be done in two ways: the first involves utilizing SQL statement parameters, while the second strongly recommends relying on SQL Database backups.

We will discuss both the methods one by one, starting with SQL statement parameters:

To resolve this, begin by resetting the database status, removing the suspect flag. Open SQL Server Management Studio, connect to your SQL database, and select the New Query option from the menu bar. Execute the provided SQL scripts below to initiate the process.

1. EXEC sp_resetstatus ‘yourDBname’;
   Note:
   yourDBname is the example database name, change it with a real SQL database name.
2. ALTER DATABASE yourDBname SET EMERGENCY
   Note:
   This SQL statement parameter will change the database state and set it to Emergency to provide flexibility to perform tasks on a corrupt/suspect SQL database.
3. DBCC checkdb (‘yourDBname’)
   Note: This statement will initiate a consistency check on the select database to find out changes or loss of data such as rows or columns.

   Again, change yourDBname with your database name.

   Executing DBCC checkdb can produce distinct results, which can decide whether to proceed with SQL statement parameters any further or not.

   Below are those outcomes – proceed accordingly to the result you receive on-screen:

   1. In some cases, executing DBCC checkdb can fix the issue by resetting the database status. To confirm this check your database status. If the status has changed, stop here and don’t proceed with the next step.
   2. If the database status didn’t change after the above statement execution, try running the command EXEC sp_resetstatus ‘yourDBname’; and database status again, If the change reflects, the issue is gone.
   3. In case if an inconsistency is detected, proceed to the next step.
   4. Run CHECK DBCC for similar errors like below:
      
4. ALTER DATABASE yourDBname SET SINGLE USER WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE
   Note:
   This SQL statement will initiate rollback all running transactions and set the SQL Server database in single user mode for maintenance purpose.
5. DBCC CheckDB (‘yourDBname’, REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS)
6. ALTER DATABASE yourDBname SET MULTI_USER
   Note:
   Upon completion of the SQL server database repair – initiated in step-5, this statement will set the database back to multi-user mode.

Executing the above SQL statement parameter can fix the Suspect issue, execute as per the instructions mentioned above under notes.

If no inconsistency is found in step-3, there is no need for step 4-6 but go through the points given in step-3 and proceed as per the result you receive.

Now, before discussing the second method – primary & the recommended one, let’s shed some light on step-5:

It is strictly recommended not to run this statement if no inconsistency is found in step-3.

If Executed, What the Consequences Will Be?

• The data will be lost for sure if this SQL statement is executed, and afterward, the user – DBA or admin, is left with another job of retrieving the lost data, which is not possible.
• Running this SQL statement affects business and the organization will suffer, as the lost data can’t be recovered back.
• The SQL Server Database cannot revert to the earlier state.

In situations where database file corruption, damage, or suspect mode arises, the severity of the error can sometimes make it nearly impossible to resolve the issue and recover the data.

Without a complete SQL Server Database backup, the prospect of recovering corrupt or damaged database files becomes bleak. In such situations, employing a specialized and advanced tool tailored to address these issues is the optimal solution., Kernel for SQL Database Recovery fills the space perfectly when none of the native approaches comes handy.

This comprehensive tool serves as a solution for various SQL Database file issues, including corruption, damage, or suspect status. It facilitates the recovery of all database objects and supports both MDF and NDF files. Notable features include live recovery to SQL Server, automatic backup creation post-restoration, and compatibility with multiple SQL Server versions.

We’ve simplified the database file recovery process, eliminating the need for technical expertise. To assist you further, here’s a step-by-step demonstration of recovering corrupt SQL Server Database files using this efficient tool. Follow the instructions below carefully:

Below are the steps of the recovery process:

1. Open the installed the tool.
2. Click Browse to select and add the corrupt or damaged SQL Server Database file and click Recover.
   
   Note:
   In case, if the database version is not selected, uncheck Auto detect database version option, and select manually.
3. Once the database file scan competes, data will get retrieved on-screen as below. Select the desired SQL database objects and Click Save,
   
4. Input SQL Server Name and Server Authentication details; click Ok,
   
   Note:
   Select Batch File option, to save in batch file at the system drive location.
5. Wait for the saving process to compete.
   
   Note:
   In case, if something went wrong or you want to adjust something, click Stop.
6. Corrupt or damaged, SQL Database file(s) are recovered successfully, click Ok.
   
   Thus, you’ve successfully repaired the corrupt or damaged or suspect marked SQL Server Database file.

Wrap

In dire situations like SQL suspect mode, a complete SQL Server Database backup proves invaluable. When no other options remain, it stands as the ultimate solution for all SQL database file errors and issues. Its simplicity and user-friendly interface, offering minimal options, make it highly accessible.