SQL Database Corruption Causes – A Comprehensive Guide

In the complex world of database administration, SQL Server database is one of the most widely used and sophisticated relational database management systems. It is mainly used by both professionals and businesses. With its advanced features, the Structured Query Language (SQL)  is among the greatest database management systems for handling and managing vast amounts of data, because of its advanced features. However, administrators often face challenges related to errors and corruption that can impact the system’s reliability.

This article delves into the common SQL database corruption causes, as well as exploring faults and effective methods. Let’s first examine the major reasons behind this issue

Common Causes of SQL Server Database Corruption

Numerous factors can lead to the SQL Server corruption or damage of MDF and NDF database files. Here are some of the major reasons for this issue :

• Hardware Issues
• Unexpected system shutdown
• Malware or virus attacks
• SQL Server has bugs; some SQL account modifications
• Corruption of the file header
• Moving up to a newer version of SQL from an older one
• Accidental Data Deletion
• Network Failure

Methods to Check SQL Databases for Corruption

In this section, we will explore techniques to address this issue,  using two different approaches to cater to diverse needs.

So without further ado, let’s get started on the solution part

Method 1: How to Check / Detect the corruption in SQL Database

The primary role of a database administrator is to ensure the database’s security and accessibility. When corruption occurs in SQL Server database files, it may not always display error symptoms, yet the data remains inaccessible. Administrators should employ methods to check the database’s health for errors or corruption.

Run the database backup along with CHECKSUM:

Execute the backup command with the CHECKSUM command to halt the backup process if corruption is detected.

BACKUP DATABASE XYZ
TO DISK = ‘E:Database BackupXYZ.bak’
WITH CHECKSUM;

Run the command and see the results.

Run the DBCC CHECKDB command:

This regular checkup command finds many issues affecting the database.

DBCC CHECKDB ;

The DBCC CHECKDB command will examine each database object, including tables, triggers, relationships, and dependencies, for logical and physical integrity. If any issues are discovered, the error message will be displayed in the result. The error message will include all the information that is needed to understand why the process was halted and why the error was displayed.

Method 2: Expert Solution to Check SQL database corruption causes

In the section above, if you find the manual method confusing because it requires a lot of technical knowledge, we recommend an alternative: SysTools SQL Database Recovery Tool. This application helps in fixing corrupt database files for those who don’t have a backup.

The tool is capable of recovering various items such as tables, triggers, views, functions, and rules. Also, it is capable enough to repair the database stuck in suspect mode. Users can easily export data to a live SQL database, an SQL-compatible script, or a CSV file without any risk of data loss. It is compatible with different SQL Server versions, including 2019, 2017, 2016, and their earlier versions. Furthermore, it simplifies the repair and recovery of both Primary Database Files (MDF) and Secondary Database Files (NDF) through a straightforward process, without any limitations on file size.

Steps to Check and repair SQL database corruption causes

• Download and run the application on your PC, then click on the “Open” button.
• Choose between the “Quick” or “Advance Scan” options, select the SQL version, and mark the “Recover Deleted” option to retrieve deleted database items.
• Once the scanning process is completed, the software will display a preview of the recovered items. Click the “Export” option to save the recovered data.
• Finally, click on the “Export” button to restore the corrupted SQL database files

Conclusion

This article provides information on SQL database corruption and how to address it. However, using the manual method has its challenges—it’s time-consuming and complex, especially for non-technical users. Additionally, there’s no guarantee of data integrity.

Therefore, the recommended and more user-friendly option is to use the automated tool mentioned in this article. It works well with both the latest and older versions of the Windows operating system TO Check SQL database for corruption.