5 Best Ways to Fix MS Access Database Errors

When opening the Microsoft Access application or a database file, sometimes you get errors. You face some common errors like unrecognized database format, MS Access cannot open the database, Action Failed - database error 2950, database is in an inconsistent state, and so on.

Such errors can occur due to different reasons. However, corruption in the database is one of the prominent reasons behind such errors.

In this post, we will discuss some best methods to fix the common MS Access database errors. We’ll also mention an Access file repair tool that can help to fix the errors if occurred due to database corruption.

5 Best Ways to Fix MS Access Database Errors

Following are the 5 best methods you can try to fix the errors and recover the database:

Method 1: Restore Database from Backup

If you have created a backup of your Access database, you can try restoring the database from the backup copy. This helps you to recover the database if it is corrupted or damaged. To restore the database from the backup, follow these steps:

· Open File Explorer.

· Find, select, and copy the backup copy.

· Move the copied file to the same location where the database is located.

· If prompted, replace the original database file with the backup copy.

Method 2: Import Corrupt Database Objects into a New Database

You may get errors due to corrupted objects in the database. In such a case, you can try importing the objects into a new Access database. To do so, follow these steps:

· Open MS Access.

· Click File > New > Blank Database to create a new database.

· Next, click the ‘External Data’ option and click ‘Access.’

· The ‘Get External Data – Access Database’ window will appear.

5 Best Ways to Fix MS Access Database Errors

· Click ‘Browse’ to select the database file that you need to import.

· You will see two options under “specify how and where you want to store the data in the current database.” Choose any of the desired options and click OK.

o The Import Objects window is displayed. Click Select All and click OK.

5 Best Ways to Fix MS Access Database Errors

Method 3: Setup a New Trusted Location

You may encounter errors in MS Access if you try to open a database from an untrusted location. To fix this, you can try moving the database file to a trusted location that can be considered safe to run the code. To specify a trusted location, follow these steps:

· Open Microsoft Access application.

· Go to File > Options.

· In the Access Options window, click Trust Center.

· Click Trust Center Settings, under Microsoft Office Access Trust Center.

· On the Trust Center window, click Trusted Locations.

In the Trusted Locations dialog box, select the Allow Trusted Locations on my network checkbox to add a network location.
Click on the Add New location option.

You will see the following options in the Microsoft Office Trusted Location window:

o Path

o Browse

· In the Path field, you have to enter the desired path of the location. Click the Browse button to browse to the location.

· Click on the Subfolders of this location are also trusted option, if you need to specify the subfolders.

· After adding the trusted location, click OK.

Method 4: Convert Old Database Version File into Newer Version

You may encounter errors when trying to open a database file created in an older MS Access version in a new version (Access 2013 or later). You can try converting the old database file (.mdb) into .accdb file format.

To do so, follow these steps:

Open MS Access (2007 or later) application.
Click File > Open.
Choose the .mdb file (Access 2000 or 2002-2003) that you need to convert.
Click File > Save As > Save Database As.
Select the Access database file type and then click Save As.
In the Save As window, type a file name in the File name field.
Click Save.

Method 5: Repair your Access Database

If you are getting errors due to corrupted database, you can use the Microsoft built-in utility -Compact and Repair to repair your database. However, before using this tool, make sure you perform the below tasks:

· Create a Backup of the Database: It is important to create a backup as sometimes the tool makes irreversible changes to data in the database.

· Get Exclusive Access to the MS Access Database: You should notify the users before you begin the compact and repair operation as it may interrupt the operations of other users.

· Get the Required Permissions: Make sure you have permissions to use the Compact and Repair utility. If not, then contact your system administrator to grant you sufficient permissions for the same.

After performing these tasks, follow the below steps to repair the database:

· Open your Microsoft Access and create a blank database.

· Click File > Close.

· Click Database Tools > Compact & Repair Database.

· A new ‘Database to Compact From’ dialog box is displayed.

· Search and double-click on the database you need to repair.

What to do if the Above Methods do not Work?

If the above methods do not work or fail to fix the errors, try a professional Access file repair software, such as Stellar Repair for Access. An advanced software that can fix severely corrupted Access files. It also offers a preview of all the recoverable data in the database before saving it for precise recovery. The software supports MS Access 2021, 2019, 2016, and lower versions.

Conclusion

MS Access can throw errors due to numerous reasons. The above post discussed 5 best ways to fix Access database errors. If the error occurs due to corrupt database, then you can try the Compact and Repair tool in MS Access.

Alternatively, you can use a professional Access repair tool such as Stellar Repair for Access, an advanced software to repair corrupt Access file without any data loss.