Member Avatar for Martincruise

I face the below error message, when I attempt to mount an Access database
"Microsoft Access has detected corruption in this file. To try to repair the corruption, first make a backup copy of the file. Then, on the Tools menu, point to Database Utilities and click Compact and Repair Database. If you are currently trying to repair this corruption then you will need to recreate this file or restore it from a previous backup."

What can I do resolve the error?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Davidpoul

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Short version: start with a copy of the file and work methodically. The basic advice from (make a backup, then try Access’s Compact & Repair) is the correct first move — Compact & Repair can fix many simple problems and will produce an MSysCompactErrors table when it cannot repair specific objects. Always work from a copy so the original remains untouched. Compact & Repair (Microsoft).

If Compact & Repair doesn’t fully succeed, recover into a new blank database by importing objects rather than trying to salvage the original file in place. Import tables first, then queries, then forms/reports and finally modules — do it in small groups and, when something fails, import objects one-by-one to isolate the damaged object. Access’s import tools and the MSysCompactErrors table are useful when deciding what to rebuild or restore from backup. Import objects (Microsoft). MSysCompactErrors note (Microsoft).

Check the environment: corruption is often caused by network shares, incorrect folder permissions or stale lock files (.laccdb / .ldb). Make sure no one has the file open, delete the lock file only after confirming the DB is closed, and consider splitting front-end and back-end to reduce future risk. If the problem looks VBA-related, open Access with the /decompile switch, recompile, then compact — that often clears module-level corruption. Lock files (Microsoft). Split database (Microsoft). Decompile guidance (Microsoft Q&A).

If none of the above recovers the file, older MDBs can sometimes be salvaged with the Jet Compact utility (JETCOMP.exe) and there are reputable commercial recovery tools that may recover more (test demos on copies first). If a backup exists, restoring it is usually the safest option. Exercise caution with any paid tool and keep a working copy of the damaged file for professional recovery if needed. . Example commercial tool (DataNumen).

Notes: ’s DAO-based extraction idea can help for table-level recovery but needs attention to version/driver compatibility and to VBA/references — avoid pasting/running unfamiliar code against the original file without a copy.

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Member Avatar for timothybard

My first suggestion is to go to make a backup of the database and then go to Tools (from the menu bar), Database Utilities and select Compact and Repair Database.

If that doesn't work, then I would recommend creating a new blank database and importing all the objects into the empty database and see if that works.

Member Avatar for Davidpoul

To resolve the above error message and access the data stored in the database, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Create a blank database = “C:\ Recover_db.mdb”
2. Close and exit.
3. Create another blank database and navigate to Modules Tab
4. Click on New and Paste the code provided below:

Dim db As DAO.Database

Set db = DAO.OpenDatabase("C:Corrupt_db.mdb")

Dim xtable As TableDef

For Each xtable In db.TableDefs

If Mid(xtable.Name, 1, 4) <> "MSys" Then

rSQL = "SELECT * INTO [" & xtable.Name & "] IN " & _

"'C:Recover_db.mdb'" & _

" FROM [" & xtable.Name & "]"

db.Execute rSQL

End If

Next xtable

MsgBox "Process Complete."

End Function

5. Go to Menu Tools, select References, and scroll down and Select "Microsoft DAO 3.6 Object Library"
6. Click OK
7. In Module Window Click on Recover_db() Function
8. Check database file names, after proper setup and press the F5 button
9. Tables and data from corrupt database is recovered to new database

Another way to resolve the problem (as stated in the error message) is by using an inbuilt repair utility known as “Compact and Repair.” However, if the inbuilt repair utility fails to repair the database, then you need to use advanced Access Repair application.

Edited by Davidpoul because: n/a
commented: Thanks David. You suggestion save my data +0
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