Summary: This blog discussed the reasons behind the ‘’Microsoft Access has detected that this database is in an inconsistent state’ issue. Also, it describes some effective workarounds to fix the issue. It also suggests an Access repair tool to restore the database without data loss. Try the software demo version to verify its functionality and download.
When MS Access detects inconsistencies in a database file, it may prevent you from opening the file and reports the following error:
When you click OK in the error message window, Access tries to repair the damaged or corrupted database file. Nonetheless, if MS Office Access fails to repair the database, you may see the error: “The database ‘xxx.mdb’ can’t be repaired or it is not a Microsoft Access database file.” This error message clearly states that MS Access has failed in its attempt to repair the MDB database file.
Note: If you’re opening an Access database using DAO, you may receive an error 3343 with an error message ‘unrecognized database format.’
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The ‘database is in inconsistent issue’ may occur when an Access database file (particularly MDB) is shared over a network. That is because the database file is prone to corruption if multiple users open it. Also, sharing an unsplit Access database with forms, modules, reports, all in one database file may cause the inconsistent state error.
Following are some effective workarounds you can try to repair the MS Access database that is in an inconsistent state.
Note: This workaround applies to Access 2019, 2016, 2013, and Access for MS Office 365.
According to Microsoft, the users can fix the issue by disabling leasing on the machine where the shared Access database is stored. Here are the steps to do so:
| REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanserver\parameters /v DisableLeasing /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f NET STOP SERVER NET START SERVER |
After performing these steps, try to open your Access database. If you are still getting the ‘Access database in inconsistent state’ error, skip to the next solution.
Some Access users have reported that they were able to resolve the issue by running the Microsoft Access ‘Compact and Repair’ utility. The utility performs two functions. Firstly, it compacts the database by releasing the deleted space which is still held by the database and only serves to corrupt the database and fragment the stored data. Secondly, it tries to repair the database.
Note: You may have to run this utility several times to resolve the ‘MS Access inconsistent state’ error.
Also Read: Compact and Repair Access Database is not working – How to Fix It
If your Access db is not opening, try running the Microsoft Access ‘Compact and Repair’ utility by using command-line switch. To do so, follow these steps:
“C: \pathtoAccess\msaccess.exe” “C:\pathtodatabase\database.mdb” /repair.
Note: Here, replace the pathtoAccess and pathtodatabase with the actual path of your Access folder and database.
If this doesn’t help resolve the ‘database is in an inconsistent state’ issue, try the next workaround.
If the ‘Compact and Repair’ utility fails to fix Access database corruption errors, create a new database and try to import a table into it. If successful, you can import all the tables into the new database. Follow these steps to import the database into a new database:
If none of the above workarounds works for you, using an Access database repair tool, such as Stellar Repair for Access can help you repair database inconsistencies and restore the database to its original form. The software supports Office 365, MS Access 2019, 2016, 2013, and earlier versions. It is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, 2003, and XP.
The software can repair a corrupt or damaged MS Access database and recover all its objects successfully. In addition, it performs the following:
You can watch the software video below:
Hopefully, implementing the workarounds in this blog will help you fix the ‘Access database is in an inconsistent state’ issue. Microsoft suggests using the ‘Disable Leasing’ hack to work around the problem; if you’re not comfortable with the hack or it doesn’t work for you, running the MS Access built-in ‘compact and repair’ utility might fix the issue. If you’re unable to repair the Access database, using Stellar Repair for Access software can help. It can repair a corrupted database (ACCDB/MDB) file or a split Access db.
Charanjeet is a Technical Content Writer at Stellar®who specializes in writing about databases, e-mail recovery, and e-mail migration solutions. She loves researching and developing content that helps database administrators, organizations and novices to fix multiple problems related to MS SQL and MySQL databases and Microsoft Exchange.
Does this software repairs corrupt linked tables?
Hi Ken, yes Stellar Repair for Access repairs corrupt linked tables.
I wish to ensure the compatible of software for Windows 10 PC & Access 2016 version.
Is it possible?
Simple!
Try demo version on Windows 10 PC to repair corrupt Access 2016 database files. After completing repair process, a demo version provides the preview of all recoverable Access database components.
I need all records from the corrupt Access 2016 database file. Please suggest!
Hello Shelby,
Don’t Panic!
Just try a demo version of Stellar Repair for Access to ensure recovery of deleted records.