SQL Database Recovery Pending: 15 Proven Fixes [2025]

When your SQL database gets stuck in recovery pending state, your database becomes inaccessible and operations halt. This comprehensive guide provides 15 proven methods to resolve SQL database recovery pending issues, from simple restarts to advanced emergency repairs.

1. Understanding SQL Database Recovery Pending State

Before attempting any fixes, understanding what causes SQL database recovery pending issues is crucial for choosing the right solution.

1.1 What Does Recovery Pending Mean?

Recovery pending indicates that SQL Server recognizes a database needs recovery but cannot start the recovery process. Unlike “Recovering” which shows active recovery in progress, “Recovery Pending” means recovery is blocked by an obstacle.

Key database states include:

ONLINE – Normal operational state
RECOVERING – Recovery process actively running
RECOVERY PENDING – Recovery cannot start
SUSPECT – Database has critical errors
EMERGENCY – Limited read-only access for repairs
OFFLINE – Manually taken offline

1.2 Common Causes of SQL Database Recovery Pending

SQL db recovery pending issues typically result from these common causes:

Missing or corrupted transaction log files (LDF)
Insufficient disk space during recovery operations
Hardware failures and unexpected system shutdowns
Corrupted MDF database files
File permission issues preventing access
SQL Server service startup timing problems
FILESTREAM configuration errors
Incorrect file paths after server migrations

1.3 How to Check Database State

Verify your database state using these methods:

Using SQL Server Management Studio:

Connect to your SQL Server instance
Expand Databases folder
Look for databases showing “(Recovery Pending)” status

Using T-SQL command:

SELECT name, state_desc FROM sys.databases WHERE state_desc = 'RECOVERY_PENDING';

2. Initial Diagnostic Steps

Proper diagnosis is essential before attempting any SQL database recovery pending fixes.

2.1 Check SQL Server Error Logs

Error logs contain crucial information about what caused the recovery pending state.

Open SQL Server Management Studio
Navigate to Management -> SQL Server Logs
Double-click the current log to view recent errors
Look for error messages related to your database

Alternatively, use T-SQL:

EXEC sp_readerrorlog;

2.2 Check Windows Event Logs

Press Windows Key + R
Type eventvwr.msc and press Enter
Navigate to Windows Logs -> System and Application
Look for SQL Server related errors around the time the issue occurred

2.3 Verify File Accessibility

Navigate to your database file locations
Verify both MDF and LDF files exist
Check if drives are online and accessible
Confirm network drives are properly mounted

3. Fix #1: Restart SQL Server Services

Restarting SQL Server services resolves many SQL database recovery pending issues caused by timing problems or temporary resource conflicts.

3.1 When Service Restart Works

This method is effective for:

Temporary resource locks during startup
Drive availability delays
Service dependency timing issues
Minor configuration conflicts

3.2 How to Restart SQL Server Services

Method 1: SQL Server Configuration Manager

Open SQL Server Configuration Manager
Click SQL Server Services
Right-click the SQL Server instance, such as SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER)
Select Restart
Wait for service to fully restart

Method 2: Services Console

Press Windows Key + R
Type services.msc and press Enter
Find the SQL Server instance, such as SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER)
Right-click and select Restart

Method 3: PowerShell

Restart-Service -Name "MSSQLSERVER" -Force

3.3 Post-Restart Verification

Wait 2-3 minutes for complete startup
Check database status in SSMS
Verify error logs for any new messages
Test database connectivity

4. Fix #2: Check and Resolve Disk Space Issues

Insufficient disk space is a common cause of SQL db recovery pending problems. Recovery operations require additional space for temporary files and log growth.

4.1 Identifying Disk Space Problems

Open File Explorer
Navigate to drives containing database files
Check available free space
Ensure at least 10-20% free space for recovery operations

4.2 Freeing Up Disk Space

Delete unnecessary temporary files
Clear SQL Server backup files if space-critical
Move non-essential files to other drives
Shrink other database files if possible

Shrink database files (use carefully):

DBCC SHRINKFILE (logicalfilename, target_size);

4.3 Setting Database Online After Space Fix

Once space is available, attempt to bring the database online:

ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET ONLINE;

5. Fix #3: Set SQL Server Service to Delayed Start

Setting SQL Server to delayed start resolves SQL database recovery pending issues caused by storage systems or network drives not being ready during system boot.

5.1 Understanding Timing Issues

Timing problems occur when:

SAN or network storage takes time to initialize
Drive letters aren’t assigned during early boot
Network drives require authentication
Storage controllers need initialization time

5.2 Configuring Delayed Start

Press Windows Key + R
Type services.msc and press Enter
Find the SQL Server instance, such as SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER)
Right-click and select Properties
Change Startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start)
Click OK
Restart the system to test

5.3 Alternative Solutions for Timing

For more control, create a scheduled task:

Open Task Scheduler
Click Action -> Create Basic Task
Input the Name and Description of the task, such as “Delay start of SQL Server service”
Set Trigger to When the computer starts
Set Action to Start a program
Set Program/Script to the full path of Sqlservr.exe, like this: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe. You can use the search function in Windows to find it.
In the finish page, select Open the Properties dialog for this task when I click Finish.
Click Finish.
In the task properties dialog, click Triggers tab
Select the trigger and click Edit
In Advanced settings, check Delay task for: and set the time to 3 minutes.
Click OK.

6. Fix #4: Fix File Permissions and Access Rights

Permission issues prevent SQL Server from accessing database files, leading to SQL database recovery pending states. Proper file permissions are essential for database operations.

6.1 Common Permission Issues

SQL Server service account lacks file access rights
Antivirus software blocking file access
Changed security policies
Network share permission problems

6.2 Correcting Folder Permissions

Navigate to database file folder
Right-click the folder and select Properties
Click the Security tab
Click Edit
Add the SQL Server service account if missing
Grant Full Control permissions
Click OK to apply changes

Using Command Line (icacls):

icacls "C:\Data" /grant "NT SERVICE\MSSQLSERVER":F /T

6.3 Service Account Considerations

Verify the SQL Server service account:

Open SQL Server Configuration Manager
Click SQL Server Services
Note the Log On As account for SQL Server
Ensure this account has proper permissions

7. Fix #5: Manual File Path Correction

File path issues occur when database files are moved or drive letters change. This method updates SQL Server’s internal file references without moving the actual files.

7.1 When Path Issues Occur

Server hardware changes
Drive letter reassignments
Network path modifications
Database file relocations

7.2 Correcting File Paths

Identify the current file paths in error logs
Locate the actual database files
Use ALTER DATABASE to update paths

Update data file path:

ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] 
MODIFY FILE (NAME = 'LogicalDataFileName', FILENAME = 'C:\NewPath\DatabaseName.mdf');

Update log file path:

ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] 
MODIFY FILE (NAME = 'LogicalLogFileName', FILENAME = 'C:\NewPath\DatabaseName_Log.ldf');

7.3 Verification Steps

Restart SQL Server service
Check database status
Verify error logs for path-related messages
Test database connectivity

8. Fix #6: Take Database Offline Then Online

This simple state change can resolve minor SQL db recovery pending issues by forcing a clean state transition and clearing temporary locks.

8.1 When This Method Works

Minor state inconsistencies
Temporary resource locks
Simple recovery process resets
Non-critical error conditions

8.2 Offline/Online Procedure

Ensure no active connections to the database
Execute the offline command
Wait a few seconds
Execute the online command

Safe method (waits for connections to close):

ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET OFFLINE;
ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET ONLINE;

Immediate method (terminates connections):

ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET OFFLINE WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE;
ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET ONLINE;

8.3 Risks and Considerations

Warning: Using ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE may cause data loss from uncommitted transactions. Use only when necessary and ensure users are logged off.

9. Fix #7: Disable AUTO CLOSE Feature

The AUTO CLOSE feature can cause SQL database recovery pending issues when databases frequently open and close, creating timing conflicts during recovery operations.

9.1 Understanding AUTO CLOSE Impact

Database closes after last user disconnects
Must recover each time database opens
Creates frequent recovery cycles
Can interfere with other operations

9.2 Disabling AUTO CLOSE

Using T-SQL:

ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET AUTO_CLOSE OFF;

Using SQL Server Management Studio:

Right-click the database
Select Properties
Go to Options page
Set Auto Close to False
Click OK

9.3 Related AUTO Settings

Consider also disabling AUTO_SHRINK for better performance:

ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET AUTO_SHRINK OFF;

10. Fix #8: Delete Corrupted Log File and Restart

This method works when the transaction log file is severely corrupted beyond repair. It should only be used in development environments or when data loss is acceptable.

10.1 When Log Deletion is Appropriate

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: This method causes data loss!

Use only when:

Working with development/test databases
Log file is completely corrupted
No other recovery options exist
Recent backups are available

10.2 Log File Deletion Procedure

Stop SQL Server service completely
Navigate to database file location
Delete the .LDF file (keep the .MDF file)
Start SQL Server service
SQL Server will automatically create a new log file

10.3 Important Warnings

Data Loss Implications:

All uncommitted transactions are lost permanently
Log chain is broken – differential backups invalid
Point-in-time recovery becomes impossible
Only use in non-production environments

11. Fix #9: Detach and Re-attach Database

Detaching and re-attaching forces SQL Server to rebuild missing or corrupted log files. This method can resolve SQL database recovery pending issues when log files are problematic.

11.1 When Detach/Re-attach Works

Missing log files
Corrupted log file headers
Log file path changes
Simple corruption scenarios

11.2 Standard Detach/Re-attach Procedure

Set database to emergency mode first
Change to multi-user mode
Detach the database
Re-attach using only the MDF file

-- Set to emergency mode
ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET EMERGENCY;
ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET MULTI_USER;

-- Detach database
EXEC sp_detach_db '[DatabaseName]';

-- Re-attach with single file (MDF only)
EXEC sp_attach_single_file_db 
    @DBName = '[DatabaseName]', 
    @physname = N'C:\Data\DatabaseName.mdf';

11.3 Alternative Attach Methods

For multiple file scenarios:

CREATE DATABASE [DatabaseName] 
ON (FILENAME = 'C:\Data\DatabaseName.mdf'),
   (FILENAME = 'C:\Data\DatabaseName_2.ndf')
FOR ATTACH;

12. Fix #10: Rebuild Transaction Log Files

Log rebuilding creates a new transaction log file when the original is missing or irreparably damaged. This method resolves SQL db recovery pending issues but results in data loss.

12.1 When Log Rebuilding is Necessary

Missing LDF files after hardware failure
Severely corrupted transaction logs
Log file path changes that cannot be corrected
Emergency recovery situations

12.2 Log Rebuilding Process

⚠️ WARNING: This causes data loss!

Set database to emergency mode
Use REBUILD LOG command
Specify new log file location
Bring database online

ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET EMERGENCY;
GO

ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] REBUILD LOG ON 
(NAME = 'DatabaseName_Log', FILENAME = 'C:\Logs\DatabaseName_Log.ldf');
GO

ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET ONLINE;
GO

12.3 Understanding Data Loss Implications

Log rebuilding causes:

Loss of all uncommitted transactions
Broken log sequence numbers
Inability to apply subsequent log backups
Point-in-time recovery becomes impossible

13. Fix #11: Emergency Mode Repair with DBCC CHECKDB

Emergency mode repair is a last-resort method for SQL database recovery pending issues caused by corruption. This method can repair databases but may result in significant data loss.

13.1 Understanding Emergency Mode

⚠️ EXTREME WARNING: High risk of data loss!

Use emergency mode only when:

All other methods have failed
No recent backups are available
Some data recovery is better than total loss
Database is critically corrupted

13.2 Emergency Repair Procedure

Take a backup of corrupted database files first
Set database to emergency mode
Switch to single-user mode
Run CHECKDB with repair option
Return to multi-user mode

-- Step 1: Set to emergency mode
ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET EMERGENCY;
GO

-- Step 2: Single user mode
ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET SINGLE_USER;
GO

-- Step 3: Repair with no data loss
DBCC CHECKDB ([DatabaseName], REPAIR_REBUILD) WITH ALL_ERRORMSGS;
GO

-- Step 4: Return to multi-user
ALTER DATABASE [DatabaseName] SET MULTI_USER;
GO

13.3 Post-Repair Assessment

Review CHECKDB output for repair actions
Check for missing tables or data
Verify critical application functionality
Consider restoring from backup if too much data lost

14. Fix #12: Check and Fix FILESTREAM Configuration

FILESTREAM configuration issues can cause SQL database recovery pending problems. This method addresses FILESTREAM-specific recovery failures.

14.1 FILESTREAM-Related Recovery Issues

FILESTREAM driver connection failures
Configuration mismatches between SQL Server and OS
Timing issues during service startup
Permission problems with FILESTREAM containers

14.2 FILESTREAM Troubleshooting

Check FILESTREAM configuration level
Verify Windows feature is enabled
Restart required services
Check FILESTREAM container permissions

Check FILESTREAM configuration:

SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('FilestreamEffectiveLevel') AS CurrentLevel;

Enable FILESTREAM at instance level:

EXEC sp_configure 'filestream access level', 2;
RECONFIGURE;

14.3 FILESTREAM Best Practices

Ensure consistent configuration across restarts
Verify FILESTREAM container paths are accessible
Check Windows FILESTREAM feature is properly enabled
Monitor FILESTREAM-related error messages

15. Fix #13: Update SQL Server Version/Service Packs

Older SQL Server versions, particularly RTM releases, contain known bugs that cause SQL database recovery pending issues. Updating to latest service packs resolves these problems.

15.1 Known Issues in Older Versions

SQL Server 2005 RTM recovery bugs
Service pack-specific fixes for recovery processes
Cumulative updates addressing edge cases
Compatibility issues with newer Windows versions

15.2 Update Process

Check current SQL Server version
Identify latest available service pack
Download from Microsoft Download Center
Schedule maintenance window
Install service pack
Restart services
Verify database functionality

Check current version:

SELECT @@VERSION;

15.3 Post-Update Verification

Confirm version number changed
Check all databases come online properly
Run basic functionality tests
Monitor error logs for any new issues

16. Fix #14: Restore Database from Backup

When SQL database recovery pending issues cannot be resolved through repair methods, restoring from a known good backup provides the most reliable solution with predictable data loss boundaries.

16.1 When Backup Restoration is the Solution

Multiple repair attempts have failed
Critical production data requires certainty
Acceptable data loss window exists
Corruption is too extensive for repair

16.2 Full Database Restore Process

Identify the most recent usable backup
Ensure sufficient disk space for restore
Take database offline or drop if necessary
Restore from backup file
Apply log backups if available

Basic restore from full backup:

RESTORE DATABASE [DatabaseName] 
FROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\DatabaseName.bak'
WITH REPLACE;

Restore with log backups for point-in-time recovery:

RESTORE DATABASE [DatabaseName] 
FROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\DatabaseName.bak'
WITH NORECOVERY, REPLACE;

RESTORE LOG [DatabaseName] 
FROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\DatabaseName_Log.trn'
WITH RECOVERY;

16.3 Verification and Testing

Verify database comes online successfully
Check data integrity with CHECKDB
Test critical application functions
Confirm backup/restore completed without errors

17. Fix #15: Professional SQL Recovery Tools

When manual methods fail to resolve SQL database recovery pending issues, specialized recovery software can extract data from severely corrupted databases that cannot be repaired through standard methods.

17.1 When to Consider Third-Party Tools

Severe corruption beyond manual repair capabilities
Critical data with no available backups
Multiple failed manual repair attempts
Time-critical recovery requirements

17.2 DataNumen SQL Recovery

DataNumen SQL Recovery is a powerful SQL Server database recovery tool.

Below are the steps to use it:

Stop the SQL Server Service.
Make a copy of the files of the database in recovery pending state, including both the primary MDF file and the secondary NDF files.
Start the SQL Server Service.
Start DataNumen SQL Recovery.
Select the copy, instead of the original file, as the source of the database to be recovered.
Click “Start Recovery” and follow the instructions to recover the database.
After the recovery process, a new recovery database will appear in SQL Server which contains all the recovered data.

18. Advanced Troubleshooting Scenarios

Complex environments require specialized approaches to resolve SQL database recovery pending issues.

18.1 Multiple Database Files Issues

Databases with multiple data files (NDF) require careful handling:

Identify which filegroups are affected
Check all NDF files for accessibility
Consider filegroup-specific recovery options
Handle read-only filegroups appropriately

18.2 Always On Availability Groups

SQL db recovery pending in Always On environments:

Check primary replica status first
Verify synchronization state
Consider removing and re-adding problematic replica
Review availability group configuration

18.3 Cluster and High Availability Scenarios

Verify shared storage accessibility
Check cluster node communications
Review failover cluster logs
Ensure proper DNS resolution

18.4 WMI and System-Level Issues

System-level problems can cause database issues:

WMI repository corruption
Failed Windows updates
Registry corruption
Service dependency problems

19. Prevention Strategies

Preventing SQL database recovery pending issues is more effective than fixing them after they occur.

19.1 Backup Best Practices

Implement automated full backup schedules
Configure regular differential backups
Set up frequent transaction log backups
Test backup restoration procedures regularly
Store backups on separate storage systems
Verify backup integrity with RESTORE VERIFYONLY

19.2 Monitoring and Maintenance

Set up disk space monitoring alerts
Schedule regular DBCC CHECKDB operations
Monitor SQL Server error logs daily
Implement performance baseline monitoring
Configure SQL Server Agent alerts for critical errors

19.3 Infrastructure Considerations

Install UPS systems for power protection
Use enterprise-grade storage with redundancy
Implement proper shutdown procedures
Ensure network stability for shared storage
Regular hardware health monitoring

19.4 SQL Server Configuration Best Practices

Choose appropriate recovery models
Configure sensible auto-growth settings
Separate data and log files on different drives
Use dedicated service accounts with minimal privileges
Keep SQL Server updated with latest service packs

20. Troubleshooting Decision Tree and Methodology

Follow this systematic approach when encountering SQL database recovery pending issues.

20.1 Systematic Diagnosis Approach

Check error logs first – Always start with SQL Server and Windows logs
Verify file accessibility – Ensure all database files exist and are readable
Check disk space – Confirm adequate space for recovery operations
Try simple fixes first – Service restart, offline/online
Progress to complex repairs – Only after simple methods fail
Consider restore from backup – When repair risks are too high

20.2 Choosing the Right Fix Method

Low Risk (Try First):

Restart SQL Server services
Check and resolve disk space
Fix file permissions
Offline/Online database

Medium Risk:

File path corrections
Disable AUTO CLOSE
FILESTREAM configuration fixes
Service delayed start

High Risk (Data Loss Possible):

Delete log file and restart
Detach/re-attach database
Rebuild transaction logs
Emergency mode repair with DBCC CHECKDB

20.3 When to Escalate

Seek professional help when:

Multiple high-risk methods have failed
Database contains irreplaceable critical data
Corruption affects multiple databases
System-level issues are suspected
Time constraints require guaranteed results

21. FAQs

Q: What is the difference between “RECOVERING” and “RECOVERY PENDING” database states?

A: “RECOVERING” means the database is actively performing recovery operations and will automatically come online when complete. “RECOVERY PENDING” means SQL Server cannot start the recovery process due to an obstacle like missing files, insufficient space, or corruption. Recovery pending requires manual intervention to resolve.

Q: Which fix should I try first when encountering SQL database recovery pending issues?

A: Always start with the safest methods first. Check SQL Server error logs, verify disk space availability, then try restarting SQL Server services. These low-risk approaches resolve most common recovery pending issues without any data loss risk.

Q: How long should I wait before trying another fix method?

A: For service restarts, wait 2-3 minutes for complete startup. For simple state changes like offline/online, wait 30-60 seconds. For complex repairs like DBCC CHECKDB, allow several hours depending on database size. Don’t interrupt recovery processes once started.

Q: Will I lose data when fixing SQL database recovery pending problems?

A: Data loss depends on the method used. Safe methods like service restarts, disk space fixes, and permission corrections cause no data loss. High-risk methods like emergency mode repair, log rebuilding, or deleting log files can result in significant data loss. Always try safe methods first.

Q: Can I prevent SQL database recovery pending issues from occurring?

A: Yes, most issues are preventable through proper maintenance. Implement regular backups, monitor disk space, maintain adequate storage capacity, use UPS protection, perform routine DBCC CHECKDB operations, and keep SQL Server updated with latest service packs.

Q: Should I attempt repairs on production databases during business hours?

A: Never attempt high-risk repair methods on production databases during business hours. Schedule maintenance windows for complex repairs. However, safe methods like service restarts or disk space fixes can be attempted immediately if they’re blocking critical operations.

Q: When should I restore from backup instead of attempting repairs?

A: Restore from backup when multiple repair attempts fail, when dealing with critical production data that cannot risk further corruption, when you have recent backups with acceptable data loss windows, or when repair methods would take longer than restore operations.

Q: How do I know if my database files are corrupted or just inaccessible?

A: Check SQL Server error logs for specific error messages. File accessibility issues show “cannot find file” or permission errors. Corruption typically shows checksum errors, page-level errors, or consistency violations. Use DBCC CHECKDB to definitively test for corruption when database is accessible.

Q: What’s the safest way to copy database files before attempting repairs?

A: Stop SQL Server service completely, then copy both MDF and LDF files to a backup location. Alternatively, use database backup commands if the database is still accessible. Never copy files while SQL Server is running as this can create inconsistent copies.

Q: Can SQL database recovery pending issues affect multiple databases simultaneously?

A: Yes, system-level issues like insufficient disk space, service account problems, storage failures, or SQL Server configuration errors can affect multiple databases. Always check if other databases are experiencing similar issues to identify broader system problems.

Q: How often should I test my database restore procedures?

A: Test restore procedures monthly for critical databases, quarterly for important databases. Include testing different restoration scenarios like point-in-time recovery, log sequence restoration, and emergency restoration procedures. Document and time each test for emergency planning.

Q: When should I contact Microsoft Support or hire professional help?

A: Seek professional help when multiple repair attempts fail, dealing with mission-critical data without backups, facing complex corruption across multiple databases, encountering undocumented error messages, or when time constraints require guaranteed recovery results.

Q: Are third-party SQL recovery tools worth the investment?

A: Recovery tools are valuable when manual methods fail and no backups exist. Most tools offer free evaluation versions to test recoverability before purchase. Consider the cost versus professional services, data value, and success probability. Tools work best for structural corruption but may not recover all data types.

Q: What should I do if SQL database recovery pending keeps recurring?

A: Recurring issues indicate underlying system problems. Check for hardware failures, insufficient resources, storage system issues, or configuration problems. Monitor Windows Event Logs, implement comprehensive monitoring, and consider upgrading hardware or moving to more reliable storage systems.

22. Conclusion and Quick Reference

SQL database recovery pending issues can be resolved using these 15 proven methods, ranging from simple service restarts to complex emergency repairs.

22.1 Quick Fix Summary Table

Fix Method	Risk Level	Data Loss Risk	Best Used For
Restart SQL Server	Low	None	Timing issues, temporary locks
Check disk space	Low	None	Space-related failures
Delayed start	Low	None	Storage timing problems
Fix permissions	Low	None	Access denied errors
Correct file paths	Low	None	Path changes, migrations
Offline/Online	Medium	Minimal	State inconsistencies
Disable AUTO CLOSE	Low	None	Frequent open/close cycles
Delete log file	High	Yes	Corrupted logs, dev environments
Detach/re-attach	High	Yes	Missing or corrupted logs
Rebuild logs	High	Yes	Missing LDF files
Emergency repair with DBCC CHECKDB	Very High	Yes	Severe corruption, last resort
Fix FILESTREAM	Medium	None	FILESTREAM configuration issues
Update SQL Server	Medium	None	Known version bugs
Restore from backup	Low	Controlled	When repair methods fail
Recovery tools	Medium	Varies	Severe corruption, no backups

22.2 Emergency Response Checklist

First 5 Minutes:

Check SQL Server error logs
Verify database file accessibility
Check available disk space
Attempt service restart
Document error messages

Next 15 Minutes:

Try offline/online if service restart failed
Check and fix obvious permission issues
Verify file paths are correct
Review Windows event logs
Assess backup availability

22.3 Additional Resources

Remember: Prevention through proper backups, monitoring, and maintenance is always better than recovery. Regular testing of these procedures in non-production environments ensures you’re prepared when SQL database recovery pending issues occur.

About the Author

Yuan Sheng is a senior database administrator (DBA) with over 10 years of experience in SQL Server environments and enterprise database management. He has successfully resolved hundreds of database recovery scenarios across financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing organizations.

Yuan specializes in SQL Server database recovery, high availability solutions, and performance optimization. His extensive hands-on experience includes managing multi-terabyte databases, implementing Always On Availability Groups, and developing automated backup and recovery strategies for mission-critical business systems.

Through his technical expertise and practical approach, Yuan focuses on creating comprehensive guides that help database administrators and IT professionals solve complex SQL Server challenges efficiently. He stays current with the latest SQL Server releases and Microsoft’s evolving database technologies, regularly testing recovery scenarios to ensure his recommendations reflect real-world best practices.

Have questions about SQL Server recovery or need additional database troubleshooting guidance? Yuan welcomes feedback and suggestions for improving these technical resources.

SQL Database Recovery Pending: 15 Proven Fixes [2025 Guide]