Repair Corrupt Exchange Database 2019/ 2016/ 2013/ 2010

Many organizations still have significant investments in an on-premise mailbox server. In that market perhaps none is as famous as Microsoft Exchange Server. The majority of the behavior of this essential infrastructure depends on the underlying database. However, in an organization, an Exchange Server stores hundreds if not thousands of mailboxes. Thus, if there is a lack of proper maintenance admins have to repair corrupt Exchange Database.

This problem is present across the different versions of Exchange from the archaic 2003 to the modern 2019. Although the frequency of the error is higher in the former. Regardless once corrupt a database takes lots of time to fix and is not an easy process. Hence, keeping all the requirements of users in mind, we have discussed both manual and professional solutions. Let us start by exploring the reasons to fix the issue.

Why We Need to Repair Corrupt Exchange Database

The corruption mostly lies inside the Exchange Database file, which is the main data storage unit on the Exchange Server 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and 2003. The error does occur without reason. So, check out all major factors that lead to errors in any database.

1. The Exchange Server’s dirty shutdown also results in a damaged database
2. It can be due to some virus attack.
3. Maybe because of some JET engine problems.
4. If there is some application malfunction, then also it results in Exchange Database corruption.
5. Server downtime or header corruption can also be one of the major factors.

For a more in-depth explanation check out the root causes of Exchange Server database corruption.

Consequences of Exchange Database Corruption

If a user searches on how to repair a corrupt Exchange database, then it might be possible that a user may experience any of the below consequences:

1. The information store services may become close
2. All information store services may go beyond the control of the Administrator
3. Due to the lack of storage space in the CPU, the information store fails to respond
4. It might also happen that MS Outlook starts working abnormally or inappropriately

Repair Corrupt Exchange Database Manually

The process to fix the corrupt database of Exchange 2003, 2007, 2010, and 2013 can be done by following the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1: Backup Your Exchange Mailbox Data:

The first step that you must perform before starting the recovery process is to back up the complete mailbox data. It will be beneficial in the case of an unsuccessful recovery process and overcome the data loss situation.

Step 2: Check System Logs:

Checking the application log files is also important as it helps you in detecting the actual cause of failure. Now, to open system log in the Event Viewer, follow the steps listed below:

1. To begin, click on the Start >> Programs >> Application Tools>> Event Viewer option
2. In the Console Tree, click on the System Log
3. Now, click on the Source option in the Details panel and locate the appropriate entry for the Exchange server to sort the logs in an alphabetical order
4. After that, double-click on the log entry and open the Properties page for the events
5. Then, from the View menu, click on the Filter option in order to filter logs and display the entries for a particular SMTP service event
6. Now, in the System Log Properties window choose the SMTPSVC option from the Event Source List
7. In the Category List choose the definite set of events or leave the default settings to All and provides access to all the events set for the SMTP service
8. In last, click on OK button

Step 3: Run Eseutil & Isinteg Utilities:

Now its time to run the Exchange tools on the Server. These tools are by default installed at “..\exchsrvr\bin” directory.
Before you begin the process to repair corrupt Exchange database problem, make sure that:

• There is enough disk space to run Eseutil
• Verify the bad sectors on the hard disk by running CHKDSK
• You must log in as an Exchange Administrator
• Now, to execute Eseutil & Isinteg tool, follow the steps given below:
  1. First of all, click on the Start >> Run
  2. After that, type cmd in the Open field and click on OK button
  3. Now, execute on the ‘C:\Program Files\Exch_srvr\bin directory’
  4. Then, type exe in the command line
  5. If the file is highly damaged, run Eseutil with switch p i.e., ‘Eseutil\p’
  6. To defrag the recovered files, run Eseutil with switch d i.e., ‘Eseutil\d’
  7. Now, to analyze the integrity status of the repaired database, you need to run the Integrity check tool i.e., Isinteg
     “c:\program files\exch_srvr\bin>isinteg -s server_name -fix -test alltests”
  8. After that, execute Isinteg\g in order to recheck the accuracy parameters.
  9. Use Administrative tools to mount the recovered Exchange database files.

Best Solution to Repair Corrupted Exchange Database

It might be possible that a user may encounter some limitations in the manual solution discussed above. Eseutil takes lots of time to complete the retrieval process. Moreover, it removes all items that it cannot fix. Therefore, to overcome all such types of limitations, a user is recommended to use a professional tool i.e. none other than SysTools Exchange Mailbox Restore Software.

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It is one of the most popular tools among users. The Quick and Advance scan mode of this utility recovers and repairs corrupt EDB files of Exchange 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and 2003 automatically without any trouble. To recover offline Exchange database files from minimal corruption select Quick scan and if you encounter a database that is severely damaged or corrupted, then choose the Advanced scan option.

After recovery, users can extract the mailbox from Exchange EDB to PST, EML, HTML, MSG, MBOX, PDF file format.

A user can run this application to revert back their Exchange Server to a corruption-free state. After fixing, the software auto-creates the export report in CSV file format which saves the success and fail count of export Exchange data.

Key Features Of Automated Utility

1. Support Exchange private and public folders & STM file
2. Preview Microsoft Exchange database mailbox data items before conversion
3. Preserve original folder hierarchy and keep metadata intact
4. Export selective Exchange mailbox data items via the date and categories filter option
5. Suitable with all MS Exchange Server, Outlook, and Windows OS versions

Conclusion

In this write-up, we taught the readers how easy the task to repair corrupt Exchange Database becomes if they get access to the right tools. As even seemingly minor issues can end up damaging the database admins should stay on vigilant at all times. Moreover, this issue can pop up regardless of your Exchange Server version although the older variants are more prone to corruption.

Also despite the availability of a manual method admins may struggle to complete the repair on their own. The technical limitations and overall duration call for a more robust and automated approach to solving database corruption in Exchange. That is why we include a foolproof solution and instructions to use it. Admins can deploy this software in their Exchange Server 2019, 2016, 2013, and more.