Recovery Pending Sql __link__ May 2026

The database is technically online but inaccessible to users. You will see it in SSMS Object Explorer with a yellow warning icon and (Recovery Pending) next to its name. | Cause | Description | |-------|-------------| | Missing or corrupted transaction log file (.ldf) | The log file is deleted, moved, or has sector-level corruption. | | Insufficient disk space | The drive hosting the log file is full, preventing recovery from allocating space for rollback/rollforward. | | Corrupted boot page of the log file | The first page of the log (containing VLH info) is unreadable. | | File system permission issues | SQL Server service account lacks read/write access to the log file or its folder. | | Restore operation interrupted | A RESTORE WITH NORECOVERY was left incomplete, or the restore failed mid-operation. | | Inconsistent file states | Data files and log files are out of sync (e.g., restoring old log onto newer data). | 3. Immediate Diagnostic Steps Run the following queries to assess the situation:

-- Method: Restore with REPLACE and MOVE RESTORE DATABASE YourDatabaseName FROM DISK = 'D:\Backups\YourDatabaseName_full.bak' WITH REPLACE, MOVE 'YourDatabaseName_Data' TO 'D:\Data\YourDatabaseName.mdf', MOVE 'YourDatabaseName_Log' TO 'E:\Logs\YourDatabaseName.ldf', RECOVERY; -- Set emergency mode (bypasses recovery) ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET EMERGENCY; -- Run consistency check to identify salvageable data DBCC CHECKDB (YourDatabaseName) WITH ALL_ERRORMSGS, NO_INFOMSGS; recovery pending sql

-- Check file existence and paths (from SQL perspective) SELECT type_desc, name, physical_name, state_desc FROM sys.master_files WHERE database_id = DB_ID(N'YourDatabaseName'); If the log file is missing, sys.master_files will still show its expected path, but the OS will not have the file. 4. Recovery Strategy Matrix | Scenario | Action | Data Loss Risk | |----------|--------|----------------| | Log file missing, but you have a full backup + all subsequent log backups | Restore with RECOVERY | None | | Log file missing, no recent log backups | Attempt emergency mode rebuild | High (only committed data in .mdf remains) | | Disk full | Free space, then restart SQL Server service | None | | Log file corrupted but .mdf intact | Use DBCC CHECKDB with ALLOW_DATA_LOSS | Moderate to High | | Restore left in NORECOVERY | Issue RESTORE DATABASE ... WITH RECOVERY | None | | File permissions | Grant Full Control to SQL service account, restart instance | None | 5. Step-by-Step Resolution Procedures Case A: Log File Missing – Full Backup Available (Minimal Risk) -- 1. Take database offline (force close any lingering handles) ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName SET OFFLINE; -- 2. Manually delete any orphaned log file from OS (if present but corrupt) The database is technically online but inaccessible to users

Unlike RECOVERING (where recovery is actively running) or SUSPECT (where recovery has definitively failed), RECOVERY PENDING means recovery cannot even begin . | | Insufficient disk space | The drive