How to fix Exchange 501 Jet_ErrLogFileCorrupt Error

Microsoft Exchange Server is composed of various components, each has its own vitality. The JET Database Engine and Transaction Logs are two inconspicuous, yet essential aspects of the whole Exchange setup. Any glitch in either of them and the functioning of the entire server can get disrupted.

Take the case of Exchange 501 error for example. This error is associated with the message “JET_errLogFileCorrupt” that arises when the Exchange database transaction log file(s) is either missing or corrupt.

Causes of Exchange 501- JET_errLogFileCorrupt Error

The JET_errLogFileCorrupt or Exchange 501 error is generally observed when users try to mount an Exchange database after some kind of disaster like a sudden power outage or server crash. When the Exchange server gets terminated unexpectedly, multiple transaction log files associated with the Exchange database may get corrupt.

As a result, all server activity halts and the database is marked in as ‘inconsistent’ state or ‘dirty shutdown’ state. And sometimes when you try to mount such EDB (Exchange Database) file, the mounting process fails and the error message “JET_errLogFileCorrupt” is displayed. This also leads to a halt in all user activities and even permanent mailbox inaccessibility.

Other Common Reasons for log file Corruption

• Log file header damage
• Bad sectors on the server’s hard drives
• Virus infections
• Malware attacks
• Technical or mechanical faults within the server

Usually, administrators recover the database from a previous backup or previously committed log files in order to bring back the database to a consistent state and server online.

However, this technique might not work in this particular case as corrupted log files themselves are the reason behind the database’s inconsistency. In such a scenario, other more advanced Exchange repair tool, such as Stellar Repair for Exchange can help you to get rid of the problem.

Methods to Fix Exchange Error 501- JET_errLogFileCorrupt

To check the log files status, follow these steps,

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator
2. Change directory to the log files location using the cd For instance, cd c:/Program Files/…
3. Move everything, other than the EDB files, into a temporary folder and then try mounting the database
4. Check the status of log files by running the command eseutil /mh in the server’s command prompt

   

5. If the operation terminates with error 501 JET_errLogFileCorrupt message, it means the log files are damaged

   You can also run the eseutil /ml E00 command, where E00 is the log file name and check the log file damage status.

   

Method 1: Perform Hard Recovery

The error can be resolved by regenerating the corrupt or damaged log files after restoring the log files from backup and executing the eseutil command

Follow the below-mentioned steps to perform the hard recovery and fix the error:

1. Locate a working backup of the corrupted log file
2. Delete the damaged log file and recover it from its backup
3. After restoring the log file from the backup, a temporary file called env is created which stores all logs that have not been committed to the EDB yet
4. Once this file is created, run the command eseutil /cc “Path of the restore.env”to fix log file issues

Once done, delete the temporary file ‘restore.env’

Note: This technique can work only if you have a recent valid backup of the log files that have been corrupted.

Problems Associated with This Method

While this method works, if all required preconditions are met, it suffers from a few inconvenient drawbacks that could result in further damage to the database.

• These steps need proper caution and prior technical knowhow
• To use this approach, a proper installation of Exchange server and the availability of a recent relevant backup is mandatory
• In case of any errors, while following this method, the server can be negatively impacted
• The approach is lengthy and tedious
• Risk of committing wrong log file to database

Method 2: Using Exchange Repair Tool – A Better, Safer Approach

If you don’t have a recent valid backup to restore log files or if you’d like to avoid all the complexities, hassles and overcome the limitations of the manual method, you can opt for a more efficient approach. To fix this error and bring back the server and database online, you can use the most reliable third-party Exchange server recovery software, Stellar Repair for Exchange.

Backed by powerful Exchange repair and recovery algorithms, this product scans EDB files and repairs them quickly to facilitate easy data recovery from them. You can also use this software when the database doesn’t mount even after trying every eseutil command and recovery method.

It enables users to recover dismounted/offline EDB files and also supports simultaneous repair for large and multiple files. Moreover, you can export the recovered mailboxes to a Live Exchange Server or Office 365 in a few clicks. In times of Exchange troubles, this application is undoubtedly the ultimate remedy.

To Sum It Up

Corruption of transaction log files can sometimes get too tough to handle, especially when you are limited by manual methods. In cases where errors such as Exchange 501 JET_errLogFileCorrupt occur due to inconsistent or dirty stage of the database, you can use either eseutil.exe utility or a professional Exchange Recovery software. The software is much more reliable, safe, and accurate when it comes to fixing Exchange database and server related errors. It also saves your time, effort and fixes the error with a few mouse-clicks.

Check what MVP has to say about Exchange Recovery from Stellar®.

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About The Author

Eric Simson

Eric Simson is an Email Platform Consultant and is associated with Stellar Data Recovery from last 6 years. He writes about the latest technology tips and provides custom solutions related to MS Outlook, MS Exchange Server, Office 365, and many other Email Clients & Servers.