How to Fix SQL Server in Recovery Mode Issue?
Ensure that there is enough backup of the database in recovery and the SQL server database in recovery check progress while starting the recovery process. Troubleshooting the SQL server database requires a thorough and detailed investigation of the SQL server error log. There are multiple methods to fix SQL server in recovery mode issues:
Method 1: Manual Restore
There are two steps to bring the SQL Server database in recovery mode to normal mode.
1. Initiate forceful repair by marking the database in emergency mode
EMERGENCY mode marks the database as READ ONLY and disables grant and logging access to the system administrator. In this mode, the setting is done in such a setting that brings back inaccessible databases online. Once the database is opened in EMERGENCY mode, one should repair the database by using the DBCC CHECKDB command.
2. Detach and reattach the database by marking the database in emergency mode
This mode also calls for marking databases but in EMERGENCY mode. After that, detach (offline) the database and bring it back online (re-attach).
Method 2: Repair Option/ Forceful Repair
The repair option is used as a last resort when no other repairing option works correctly. Microsoft always recommends using a good backup as a primary method to restore and recover errors reported in DBCC CHECKDB.
The repair options in DBCC CHECKDB make it ultimately recoverable. Always use CHECKDB with repair options to roll back repair options successfully.
There are multiple repairing levels with almost zero possibility of data loss.
- Set the database to single-user mode
- Run DBCC CHECKDB with ‘REPAIR_BUILD’
- Reactivate multiple user modes by setting the database back to online.
The database is mainly recovered; otherwise, ‘REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS’ is preferred. Be sure that there is proper backup and risks are calculated.
- Set the database to emergency mode
- Now run DBCC CHECKDB with ‘REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS’
- Reactivate multiple users mode and set the database back to online.
Method 3: Detach and Reattach SQL Server Database
This is another preferred mode of recovering databases in recovery mode to normal mode. This mode enables the database to go into emergency mode, and once the data becomes accessible, it is taken offline (detached) and brought back online (re-attach).
Method 4: Use an SQL Server Recovery Tool
Many SQL Server recovery tools recover data from getting corrupt and provide a seamless solution for damaged SQL servers. The DBR for SQL Server recovery tool first examines and scans the damaged files and then shows the data preview that you can restore. It also enables the user to recover the deleted records from corrupt files and save them in a separate SQL Server file.
Now, you can get started with our easy-to-use DBR software as below.
1. Select the data file path from the recovery pop-up. Make sure Recover deleted data is checked before you click on Recover to begin the process.

2. Under the System Table, the tree will show you the name, status, total records, normal records, and deleted records in your recovered databases. Normal table records are shown with a green tick mark, while the deleted tables are shown with a purple cross.
