Earlier versions of MS Access used the MDB file format. However, this it lacked features such as multi-user support, encryption, etc. To overcome this, MS Access introduced the ACCDB file format with MS Access 2007. With this update, file format brings several enhancements over the older MDB file format, such as encryption and support for file attachments.
But sometimes, when you try to open the ACCDB file on your PC or a system running an older version of MS Access, you encounter random error messages that prevent you from opening it. You can be in such an unexpected situation due to Access database file corruption. Several reasons, such as frequent edits or malware, can result in database file corruption.
Let’s read further to learn more about Access database file corruption and some effective methods to repair a corrupt ACCDB Access database file.
Reasons behind ACCDB File Corruption
Listed below are some reasons behind ACCDB file corruption:
Improper termination of MS Access
Version compatibility issues when trying to open ACCDB file using earlier versions of MS Access
Abrupt system shutdown
Hardware failure, such as bad sectors in the storage drive
Power outages or network interruptions while making changes in the database
Multiple users editing the database file simultaneously
Conflicting JET Engine services
Methods to Repair Corrupt ACCDB Files
Here are some detailed methods that can help you repair corrupt Access database (ACCDB) files.
Method 1: Export Database Objects to a New Access Database File
If you are unable to open your Access database (ACCDB) file due to corruption, you can use the Get External Data Wizard to export the database file objects to a new database file. Doing this will help you recover critical data from the problematic database file, thereby preventing data loss. Here is what to do:
Launch MS Access on your Windows PC.
Click on the Blank desktop database option.
Enter a file name and click Create to create a new Access database file.
Now, click on the External Data tab in the menu bar and click on Access.
It will open the Get External Data – Access Database wizard. Click on Browse to select the corrupted ACCDB file from where you want to export the objects into the newly created Access database file.
Select the Import tables, queries, etc. option using the radio button and click OK.
Next, it will open the Import Objects window. Select the database objects, like tables, queries, forms, etc., from their respective tabs. Click Select All in each object tab to select all the objects of a type. Once you have selected the objects to be recovered, click OK.
It will import the selected objects from the corrupted ACCDB file into the newly created database file.
Once done, click Close.
Method 2: Use the Compact and Repair Utility to Repair Corrupt Access Database File
MS Access comes with Compact and Repair – a built-in utility that can help you repair the corrupt Access database files. This utility finds and eliminates inconsistencies or issues that may have resulted in database corruption. It can also help you eliminate performance issues with large database files by removing unused spaces.
Here’s how to use the Compact and Repair utility to repair the corrupt ACCDB file:
Case 1: When the Access database file is opening
Open the problematic Access database (ACCDB) file.
Click Database Tools in the menu bar.
Click Compact and Repair Database.
Case 2: When the Access database file is not opening.
Launch MS Access.
Click on Blank desktop database.
Click on File > Close to exit the application.
Now, click on Database Tools in the menu bar and click on Compact and Repair Database.
The Database to Compact From window will appear. Select the corrupted ACCDB file and click Compact.
It will then open the Compact Database Into window. Give the repaired database file a new name and click Save.
After repair, a copy of the repaired file will be saved at the same location where the original file is saved.
Method 3: Use a Specialized Access Database Repair Software
Compact and Repair can easily repair minor database corruption issues and data inconsistencies. But in case of severe file corruption, this utility may not be able to fully repair the database file. If you’re unable to repair the corrupt ACCDB file using the Compact and Repair utility, you can use an advanced Access database repair software to repair the problematic ACCDB file. For this, you can take the help of Stellar Repair for Access – an advanced Access database repair software that can repair multiple ACCDB or MDB files simultaneously.
You can use this software to fix severely corrupted database files, and recover deleted records. This software can also help you recover database objects, like tables, forms, queries, relationships, etc., from severely corrupt ACCDB files and save them in a new file with complete data integrity.
Here is how to use this software to repair ACCDB files:
Download and install Stellar Repair for Access on your Windows PC.
Launch the software.
It will bring up the Select Database window.
Click on Browse and locate the corrupted ACCDB file. Select it.
Once you have selected the database file, click on Repair.
The software will look for errors or signs of corruption and repair them. Once it has successfully repaired the ACCDB file, it will show all the recoverable objects of the database file. Click on any object to see its preview.
Select the database objects you want to recover and click on Save Database.
Now, select the location to save the repaired database file.
The software will save the repaired ACCDB file with its objects at the selected location.
Conclusion
There are various reasons that can corrupt an Access database file. In case of database file corruption, you can follow the methods explained above and repair the Access database (ACCDB) file.
Using the Compact and Repair utility is the most common way to repair an ACCDB file. But if the utility fails to repair it due to severe corruption, you can take the help of Stellar Repair for Access. This software can easily repair severely corrupted database files without any hassle and restore all the objects to a new database file. It can also help you fix various errors related to Access database corruption.
