Repair & Recover SQL Database from Suspect Mode – Ultimate Solutions

Kacy Howard ~ Modified: August 31st, 2023 ~ Data Recovery, SQL Server ~ 8 Minutes Reading

SQL Server suspect database

SQL Server has become the most widely used relational database management system. It is used by small and large enterprises to manage the data. But like any other application, MS SQL Server also shows different types of errors such as SQL Error Code 5171 , error 5172 , SQL Server Error 18456 . In fact, sometimes when the user opens their database, they end up with a message like – Database in SUSPECT mode.

This SQL database suspect mode indicates that the database server becomes corrupted or damaged. In such a situation, neither user becomes unable to access the SQL database nor able to recover the database during the server startup. To repair SQL database in suspect mode, the users required to take strong steps for the same. Therefore, in this post, we will show how to recover database from the Suspect mode in SQL Server 2012 / 2008 / 2008 R2 / 2016 / 2005 / 2000 / 2017/ 2019.

Suspect Database Repair Query SQL – USer Queries

Let’s have a look on user queries to get a better insight about the SUSPECT Mode problem.

Hello, I am using Microsoft SQL Server 2008. While performing concurrent transaction activity, my SQL Server faces sudden shutdown. I don’t know why it happens but when I restarted it, SQL Server shows Database is in Suspect Mode. Now, I am not able to access my database. If anyone knows what are the reasons behind Database going in Suspect Mode and how to recover database from Suspect mode in SQL Server 2008. Please let me know

Hi Folks, My production database is marked as ‘Suspect Mode’ which hides all the database objects in the database. Our current resolution is stopping SQL Server services and restarting them” But the database still remain inaccessible. Can anyone please tell me why is this happening and what is the resolution to restore SQL Server database from Suspect Mode ?

SQL Suspect Database Recovery in 5 Steps

  • Step-1. Launch the tool & Add SQL MDF files.
  • Step-2. Select Quick or Advance Scan options.
  • Step-3. Preview Database and Click on Export.
  • Step-4. Enter the Destination Server Location.
  • Step-5. Hit Export for SQL Suspect Database Recovery.

Immediate Solution: In case if you want to know how to recover the database from the Suspect mode. Then the user can take the help of an automated solution. This will help the user to access and recover the SQL Server database components easily.

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Reasons for SQL Database Suspect Mode

There are multiple factors that are responsible for SQL database corruption causes that also results in database Suspect mode situation. All the reasons are listed here, go through it and prevent the database in future from this error. This is a crucial checkpoint to repair SQL database in suspect mode easily.

  • When the Transaction log file of SQL Server got corrupted or damaged. In such situation, user can try the SQL Log Analyzer Software and recover SQL database from Transaction log.
  • The system becomes unsuccessful to launch the device where the log files are saved.
  • Due to the installation of an antivirus program, the users cannot access the transaction log or data file.
  • SQL database marked as ‘Suspect’, due to improper shutdown of SQL server or unexpected termination of the application.
  • Sudden restart during the transactions, leads to corruption issue in a log file, hence database marked as Suspect state.
  • Unavailability of  free disk space in SQL Server database also turns out to be this situation.
  • Introduction of any kind of malicious code in Microsoft SQL database Server.

After understanding the causes of this SQL database suspect problem, let’s get started with the troubleshooting methods. This belwo slide can help users understand suspect database repair query SQL database.

Recover Database From Suspect Mode in SQL Server – Step-by-Step Approach

Let us discuss the manual workaround to repair database from Suspect Mode in Microsoft SQL Server 2019 / 2017 / 2016 / 2014 / 2012 / 2008 / 2008 R2 / 2005 / 2000. Here are the following steps :

Step 1: Setup Suspect Database to EMERGENCY Mode

In this phase, the admin is going to set the database to Emergency Mode. For this, you need to launch the SQL Server Management Studio and connect to the database. Afterward, open query pane in SSMS and run the following query.
ALTER DATABASE DATABASE_NAME SET EMERGENCY

how to repair sql server 2000 suspect database

Step 2: Time to Check Damage in DB

Once you have the access of database, execute a Consistency Check on master file. Its function is to find out all the logical as well as physical glitch within the database.
DBCC CHECKDB (Database_Name)

microsoft sql server repair database

Step 3: Run Repair Command to Recover Database from Suspect Mode

Run the following query in the SSMS. Although, this query results out in some data loss.
DBCC CHECKDB (N’Database_Name’, REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS) WITH ALL_ERRORMSGS, NO_INFOMSGS;
GO

SQL database suspect command

Step 4: Get Back to Multi User Mode

At last, switch from Single user mode to Multi User Mode and check the database connectivity.
ALTER DATABASE dbName SET MULTI_USER

Set Multi_USER Mode

Restore Database from Suspect Mode – An Automated Approach

In a case when the SQL database file is extremely damaged or corrupted , the above-described method gets fail to repair database from suspect mode. So, the best alternative of manual solution is to use an automated third-party software. Now, the problem is there are lots of recovery software out there in the market and which one can user trust?

So we suggest the professional Enterprise-Grade database recovery MDF Repair tool to recover the database in a suspect mode in SQL Server. Additionally, this amazing and powerful tool repair highly corrupted MDF and NDF database file. Moreover, it can recover all the database objects like Triggers, Rules, Stored Procedures. Also, the tool allows the user to recover deleted SQL database objects. The software supports MS SQL Server 2019 and all earlier editions.

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Below are the Steps to perform SQL Suspect Database Recovery

  1. Launch the automated solution in your system and Click on Open.

2. Browse the MDF file from System and then choose Advanced Scan mode.

3. Software will start the Scanning process of MDF file.

4. Preview the Complete SQL Server MDF file database components.

5. Click on Export button to start the recovery process & fix SQL Server suspect database mode.

repair SQL database in suspect mode

Tool’s Features to Repair SQL Database in Suspect Mode

The automated tool is full of advanced features that can help users get the expected results for fixing database suspect mode. Let’s have a quick look at the features of this tool. This way, understanding the benefits of this method will be much easier for users.

  • Recover & Repair SQL Database without SQL Server Installation.
  • Repair Tables, Triggers, Stored Procedures, Functions, Views, etc. 
  • No Data Size Limitations Here to Fix SQL Database Suspect Mode.
  • Two Scan Modes are Available: Quick Scan & Advance Scan Modes.
  • Exports Both  Schema and Schema with Data for Users’ Convenience.
  • Export Data Files in SQL Server, CSV File, & SQL Transcript File Also.
  • Compatible with Windows Operating System 11, 10, 8 & Below Versions.
  • Supports SQL 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, and So On Till 2000 Version.

Wrapping Up SQL Server Suspect Database Issue

Microsoft SQL Server is the most influential and widely used enterprise database management system. But many times, the error codes causes crucial issues in SQL database. As a result, users are unable to connect or access the database. One such problem of Database in Suspect mode is described in this blog.

We have discussed the potential reasons for suspect mode and the manual workaround to recover database from Suspect mode. To ensure the safe recovery of database and to prevent any kind of data loss, one can use alternative option i.e., SQL Recovery software to repair SQL database from Suspect Mode. It will provide the successful recovery of database.

Also Read: Transaction Log Full in SQL Server Issue Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

Q-1. Why does SQL Server database go to Suspect mode situations?

Ans: There are various factors, especially corruption in MS SQL Server files leads to this situation.

Q-2. How do I get my database back from the suspect mode?

Ans: If the reason of Suspect mode is the corruption in MDF file then, SQL Recovery Software is the best solution.

Q-3. Can I restore complete database from Suspect Mode Via. DBCC Check command?

Ans: It is not certain that you will get the 100% data back from the damaged database.

Q-4. Is it necessary to solve SQL Suspect Database Recovery Automatically?
Ans: No, it’s not compulsory for users to solve such issues of suspect mode in SQL server automatically. There are manual solutions available too. However, the manual solutions are not up to the mark & this is why experts suggest users to opt for the automated solution & get the best results.

Q-5. What are all DBCC CHECKDB commands for suspect mode recovery?
Ans:
There are three commands for DBCC CHCEKDB procedure. These commands to repair SQL database in suspect mode are mentioned below:

  • REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS
  • REPAIR_FAST
  • REPAIR_REBUILD