MDB is the database file format used in Microsoft Access 2003 and lower versions. The MDB file can get corrupted due to abrupt system shutdown, improper exiting of the application, virus attack, etc. You may fail to open the corrupted MDB file. If the corrupt file is not repaired on time, then this can lead to unprecedented data loss. This post will discuss a few effective methods to repair and restore the corrupt MDB file. If the database file is severely corrupted, then you can use the advanced third-party Access repair tool mentioned in this post.
Ways to Recover Data from Corrupt MDB File
You can follow these methods to repair the MDB file and recover the data.
Method 1: Restore the Database File from Backup
If you have a recent healthy backup of the MDB file, you can just restore the backup file. To restore the backup file, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows + E keys.
- In the File Explorer window, find the folder where you have stored the MDB file backup.
- Next, copy the backup file and paste it to the folder where the damaged MDB file is saved.
- If you see the dialog box asking you to replace the existing file, click OK.
Method 2: Import Corrupt Database Objects into a New Database
If you do not have the backup or the backup file is not updated, you can try importing the objects from the corrupted .mdb file into a new database. To do this, follow the below steps:
- Open your Access application.
- Click on the External Data tab and then the Import Access Database option.
- The “Get External Data-Access database” window is displayed. Click on Browse to choose the affected MDB file.
- In the same dialog box, click on the option labeled “Import tables, forms, reports, macros, and modules into the current database.”
- Click on the required components of the database file to import into the new database.
- Click OK.
Method 3: Use Compact and Repair Utility to Repair MDB File
You can try repairing the damaged database file (MDB) using the Microsoft’s built-in repair utility – Compact and Repair. To use the utility, follow the below steps:
- In your Microsoft Access application, double-click on the Blank Desktop database.
- Click on the File option and then click Close.
- On the Blank Database page, click on the File option.
- Select the Compact and Repair Database tab, under the Database Tools option.
- Select the database you want to repair and then click Compact.
- After the utility completes the repairing process, you can check the repaired copy of the MDB file at the exact location where you’ve stored your database file.
Method 4: Use Jet Compact Utility
If for any reason, the Compact and Repair utility fails to repair the database file, you can try the stand-alone utility, called Jet Compact (JETCOMP.exe), to recover the MDB file. This utility is created with Microsoft Jet database engines 3.x and 4.x. It can recover corrupt MDB files of MS Access 2002 and older versions. You can download the JETCOMP.exe package from the Microsoft Download Center. Before running this tool, ensure the database file you are trying to repair is closed.
Method 5: Use a Third-Party Access Repair Tool
The Jet Compact Utility may fail to recover the severely corrupted .mdb files. To recover all the data from the highly damaged .MDB files, you can opt for a more reliable Access repair tool, such as Stellar Repair for Access. It is an advanced Access repair tool that can even repair severely corrupted Access database (MDB/ACCDB) files. The tool can recover corrupted tables, records, macros, etc. from the damaged MDB file with complete integrity. The tool is compatible with Microsoft Access 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and older versions.
Closure
This post outlined different methods to repair and recover data from corrupt MDB file. You can restore the file from backup or import the database objects from the corrupt MDB file into a new database file. To repair the MDB file, you can use Jet Compact Utility or Compact and Repair utility. If you fail to recover data from severely corrupt MDB file, then you can try a professional access database recovery tool, like Stellar Repair for Access. The tool can easily repair highly damaged database file and recover all the components from the file. You can also use this repair tool to restore password-protected database files.
