How To Fix Corrupt Exchange Database? Complete Guide

How to Fix Corrupt Exchange Database? Complete Solution

If you are looking for a solution to fix corrupt Exchange database then, this article is best suited for you. Here, in this write-up, we are providing solution and guide users to fix or repair the corrupted EDB by using the method mentioned here. So, let’s get started!

Exchange mailbox database is a very essential part of Microsoft Exchange Server. As it stores all the mailboxes and data items like: mails, notes, tasks, calendars, contacts, notes, etc… and this Exchange data is very important for users and organization in which the server is being used.

The EDB file is the main repository of MS Exchange Server and it is prone to corruption. If any mailbox database gets corrupted or damaged then it becomes inaccessible and then users won’t be able to access the mailboxes and its item. Also, it would disrupt the work-flow and there are chances that you may lose data.

In addition to this there are numerous other cause because of which the EDB gets corruption.

Reason Behind Exchange Database Corruption

1. Exchange Server Crash
2. Improper shutdown
3. Power Outage
4. Human error
5. Virus Attack

These are some of the major reason due to which mailbox database gets corrupted and then you are unable to access the Exchange data. That’s why it is necessary to fix the database from corruption.

Manual Solution to Fix Corrupted Exchange Database

Whenever there is any corruption issue occur in the mailbox database then the Exchange administrator and users use the Eseutil utility to repair the database from corruption. It is an inbuilt tool provided by Microsoft.

The storage path of this command-line utility is: “C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\Bin directory”.

Pre-requisites

1. You have to be login as Exchange admin
2. Then, take the backup of the current Exchange database
3. After that, users have to dismount the database from Exchange Server
4. Move the unnecessary file as well as folder to another location
5. It requires an ample amount of storage space which should be the double size of the database
6. Use the Check disk utility to test the hard drive for bad sectors

How to Repair or Fix Corrupt Exchange Database?

1. Eseutil provides various cmdlets and they perform different operations. To repair or fix the corrupted Exchange mailbox database users can use the eseutil /p command. It repairs the databases and makes it accessible to the users. As it removes the corruption from the file & replace all the corrupted data with white spaces.

Execute the cmdlet given below to fix the corrupt database:

Syntax:

eseutil /p “enter file path\database_name.edb”

When the user run this command then a warning dialogue box will appear. If you want to repair the corrupted EDB then click on the OK button.

2. Then, you have to perform defragmentation of the database & rebuild indexes by using the cmdlet mentioned below:

Syntax:

eseutil /d C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\Bin directory 

3. After that, users have to use the isinteg command given below to fix the logical corruption & repair the EDB at the application level

Syntax:

isinteg -s (SERVER) -fix -test alltests

4. Then, select the recovered Exchange database from the MS Exchange Server directory and mount the database to access it.

Drawback Of Manual Solution

1. It is a time-consuming method & it required enough storage space to fix or repair the mailbox database
2. You should have in-depth knowledge, technical skills, and hands-on experience to understand and work on this solution
3. There is a risk of data loss which is permanent and user can’t predict that how much data is lost.

Note: There are most users who are new to this Microsoft Exchange Server environment and it would be difficult for them to understand the solution mentioned above. So, to avoid the complexity & technicality of the manual method users can use the advanced solution provided below which easily repair the minimal and highly corrupted offline/dismounted EDB file in a simplified manner without using any cmdlet.

Automated Wizard to Repair or Fix Corrupt Exchange Database 2013 / 2016

You can use the Exchange Recovery Software provided by SysTools which is used by numerous technical as well as non-technical users to recover and repair the Exchange database file from corruption in hassle-freeway. As it provides an interactive graphical interface that makes the users work a lot easier and saves their time and effort.

This advanced utility offers scan mode option i.e. Quick & Advance scan which recovers & repair the EDB from corruption. According to the level of corrupted Exchange database, you can select the option to repair it. For minor corruption, select the Quick scan and when the .edb file is highly corruption click on the advance scanning mode.

After recovery, users can export the recovered Exchange database mailboxes directly to the Exchange Server 2016 / 2013 / 2010 / 2007 / 2003 mailboxes, Office 365, or multiple file format. Also, it creates an export report which stores the success and fail count of exported mailbox data in CSV file format.

Notable Features Of Automated Software

1. Support Offline/Dismounted .edb file (Public and Private) and STM file
2. Preview the Exchange database mailbox data items before conversion
3. Categories filter option export selective mailbox items
4. Maintains actual folder hierarchy and keep metadata intact
5. Remove email (SMIME/OpenPGP) encryption from EDB mailboxes
6. Export Exchange data within specified date range via date filter option
7. Suitable with all Windows OS, Outlook, & Exchange Server version

Working Steps to Repair or Fix Corrupt Exchange Database 2016 / 2013

1. Download the software and launch it in your local system

2. Then, click on the add file button and load the corrupt dismounted or offline Exchange database

3. Select the Advance scan >> Click on the add button

4. Preview the recovered EDB mailboxes and Click on the export button

5. In the next window, select the mailboxes and export it to the desired export button

Bringing It All Together

In this write-up, we have described the detailed information to fix corrupt Exchange database. Users can select the solution according to their preferences and select the solution that help them to repair the corrupted mailbox database. It is advised for novice users to use the advance method mentioned above which help them to repair the .edb file from corruption in a hassle freeway without any hindrance. Rest is up to users depending on the required they can select the method & fix / repair the corrupted Exchange mailbox database.