The SQL Server service account lacks the necessary permissions to access the database folder. How to Fix SQL Server Recovery Pending State
-- Then drop and re-add the log (replace 'YourDB_log' with your logical name) ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName REMOVE FILE YourDB_log; ALTER DATABASE YourDatabaseName ADD LOG FILE (NAME = YourDB_log, FILENAME = 'C:\YourPath\YourDatabaseName_log.ldf');
In virtual environments, the SQL Server service may start before the underlying storage is fully attached, creating a race condition. sql server recovery pending
If this is a production database, check your backups first . If you have a recent full backup, restoring it is always safer than performing risky emergency repairs.
-- 4. Recreate the log file (if needed) -- First, note the logical file name of the log: EXEC sp_helpdb 'YourDatabaseName'; The SQL Server service account lacks the necessary
If the .mdf data file is fine, but the .ldf log file is corrupt, you can rebuild the log. This is safer because it preserves your data.
This method tries to force the database online, but you (specifically, uncommitted transactions and changes not written to disk). If you have a recent full backup, restoring
means the database failed before it could even start Phase 1 (Analysis). SQL Server knows the database exists, but it has not acquired the necessary locks or resources to begin the recovery process. The database is neither online nor recovering—it is waiting for intervention.