Tips To Fix “SQL Database Access Denied” Error
Read time 5 minutes
Managing SQL databases can be challenging, even for experienced administrators. The typically anticipated seamless performance of SQL Server is frequently disrupted by various SQL Server errors. These errors primarily impact database accessibility, ultimately impeding all SQL Server operations.
In this blog post, our goal is to explore a particular SQL Server error, delving into its origins, causes, and potential remedies. The error under consideration is commonly referred to as the “SQL Server Error 5123” due to its associated code, 5123. Here is what the error typically looks like.
The SQL error mentioned above explicitly indicates a failure in the process of opening the SQL database file or being denied access to open or create that specific file. Consequently, the operation has been unsuccessful in retrieving data for the given request.
The reasons behind “SQL database access denied error”
Both the reasons are highly probable for this “SQL Server Access Denied” error. Let us take two scenarios to understand this.
Scenario 1 – When the SQL database file is relocated from its default location, whether intentionally or inadvertently, SQL administrators, even those with full permissions, may encounter this error when attempting to access the database using Windows Authentication.
Scenario 2 – In this situation, we consider a scenario where an SQL administrator, having complete privileges for the SQL database file folder, either removes or detaches the database from the SQL Server. Subsequently, when another SQL administrator, who possesses rights for the SQL Server instance, attempts to reattach the same SQL database file to the server, they encounter an “SQL database access denied error.” The root cause behind this issue may stem from insufficient SQL database permissions granted to the second SQL administrator.
You can resolve the SQL Server error 5123 by tackling the underlying causes. We’ll offer you step-by-step guidance to overcome this error and regain access to your SQL database.
Users encountering this error should verify the operational status of their SQL Server and ensure the availability of the SQL Server instance on the network.
Navigate to the directory C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data and verify the presence of both the MDF and NDF files. If they are not found, attempt to copy and paste the database files into this default location.
So, you need to assign the full access permissions to that SQL administrator in order to let him attach and access the SQL database. Follow these steps.
a. Go to the default SQL database file location.
b. Right-click on the .mdf file and click on the Properties option.
c. In the Properties dialogue box, navigate to the Security tab.
d. Select the Administrator name from whose credentials you want to access the database under Group or user names section.
e. Click on Edit option and select all the permissions under Allow section.
f. Click on OK and exit the Properties page.
Note: Perform the same process for the .ldf file available at the same location.
g. Now, try to access the database file with this SQL administrator login credentials.
h. Hope you succeeds this time!
We anticipate that the manual tip provided above can assist you in regaining access to your SQL database. However, if opening it proves to be unfeasible, there is a concern that your SQL database may be compromised. Occasionally, the exact cause of this corruption remains uncertain, but it has the potential to result in harm, data loss, and the inability to access SQL Server data.
In such a condition, we offer you an efficient SQL database recovery tool, the SQL Server Recovery software, which recovers corrupt and damaged MS SQL database files. This tool enables the retrieval of database files from various SQL Server versions and offers the option to preview the recovered data. You have the flexibility to store the restored SQL database file in either a live SQL Server destination or as a batch file on your local system. So, users can trust this tool to repair MDF file anytime and also learn about it using the free version.
This article provides a comprehensive discussion of the prevalent “SQL database access denied error,” offering practical manual solutions. Furthermore, it presents a recommended approach to address SQL database corruption.
