Recovery Pending Sql __exclusive__ [ Genuine ]

-- 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)

-- 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

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: -- Check file existence and paths (from SQL