Access Database Repair

How To Fix MS Access Unrecognized Database Format Error

Written By Priyanka Chauhan
Approved By Kuljeet Singh
Updated on 3 Jun, 2024
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Summary: Are you having trouble accessing your database files due to the ‘MS Access unrecognized database format’ error? Does the error prevent you from opening a table or a form linked to a table? This blog discusses the workarounds you can implement to resolve the ‘Unrecognized database format’ error. It also suggests using an Access database repair tool to extract data from inaccessible database files when nothing else works.

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You may encounter an unrecognized database format error when trying to open or work with an Access database file (.mdb or .accdb) stored on a shared network drive.

Unrecognized Database Format Error in MS Access

The error usually occurs when upgrading to Windows 10, particularly version 1803. However, there have been instances where users encountered the error when using Microsoft 365 Access Build 16.0.3.

Note: If you get a ‘3343 Unrecognized Database Format’ on opening a database using Database Access Object (DAO), refer to this Microsoft page for details about the error.

What Causes the MS Access Unrecognized Database Format Error?

Following are some of the possible reasons behind the error:

Bug in the Windows 10 version.
Corruption in the database because of an unsplit database, shared front-end, unstable networks, etc.

Workarounds to Fix MS Access Unrecognized Database Format Error

Note: Before implementing this workaround, check if you can revert to a previous version of Windows. For instance, you may rollback to Windows 1709. But, remember you only have 10 days to rollback your Windows version. If this doesn’t work for you, proceed with the following workarounds.

Workaround 1 – Use the ‘DisableLeasing’ Registry Hack

To fix the Windows 10 bug resulting in the ‘Access unrecognized database format’ error, Microsoft recommends disabling the leasing on the server with shared (back-end) database files. This is, in fact, the common solution that seems to resolve the problem. However, it has certain downsides. You need administrator privileges to apply the registry hack. Also, you may experience some performance issues.

The steps to apply the registry hack are as follows:

Open the command prompt as an administrator. To do so, type command prompt in the Windows search bar, then click on ‘Run as administrator’.
In the command prompt window, execute the following:

REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanserver\parameters /v DisableLeasing /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
NET STOP SERVER
NET START SERVER

Exit from the command prompt.

Now check if you can open the Access database without any issues.

Workaround 2 – Run Compact and Repair

If you’re using MS Access 365, the following steps may help you fix the ‘unrecognized database format Access’ error:

Restart your server.
Delete the lock file, then run the Compact and Database Repair utility.

Note: Delete the .laccdb file if you’re getting the error on opening an ACCDB database file. If the problem happens when opening an MDB file, delete its .ldb file.

Workaround 3 – Move the Database to a New Folder

Some users could fix the error by creating a new folder and moving their problematic database to that folder. Make sure to create the new folder on the same drive where the original database is stored.

What Else Can You Do?

Do you fear implementing the ‘DisableLeasing’ fix? Or, if none of the above solutions work for you, try to extract data from inaccessible Access database files (.accdb/.mdb) using Stellar Repair for Access software.

Check out this video to see how the software helps restore a database encountering the MS Access ‘Unrecognized Database Format’ Error.

Conclusion

“Microsoft Access Unrecognized Database Format Error” may appear while upgrading the system or when a user tries to access a Microsoft Access database file through a different application like Visual Studio. The error happens because of a Windows 10 bug. It may also be caused due to corruption in an Access database, which might occur when using an unsplit db, sharing the same front-end copy with multiple users, etc.

Unfortunately, Microsoft is still investigating the issue, and there is no permanent solution for the problem. However, applying the ‘DisableLeasing’ registry hack is your best bet to fix it. If you want to avoid the registry hack, try using the other workarounds. You may also consider using Stellar Repair for Access to recover data from the inaccessible database.

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About The Author

Priyanka Chauhan

Priyanka is a technology expert working for key technology domains that revolve around Data Recovery and related software's. She got expertise on related subjects like SQL Database, Access Database, QuickBooks, and Microsoft Excel. Loves to write on different technology and data recovery subjects on regular basis. Technology freak who always found exploring neo-tech subjects, when not writing, research is something that keeps her going in life.

17 comments

Israel says:

May 3, 2020 at 10:10 am

For me, none of these solutions worked, but I noticed that when I closed Access the locked file wasn’t going away (when you have an Access database open it creates a file in the same folder with a lock icon on it, which disappears after you close Access). So I deleted the locked file, then the issue went away.

Reply
Robert Galvin says:

November 20, 2019 at 5:15 am

Hey, I’m a long time fan and reader of your blog, first-time commenter. I just wanted to say this post really hit home with the stuff I’ve been looking into. Thanks, man.

Reply
1. Eric Simson says:
  
  November 20, 2019 at 10:43 am
  
  Thank you so much Robert, for reading our blogs.
  
  Reply
Robert Thompson says:

September 24, 2019 at 4:41 am

According to my experience, you can’t ensure 100% troubleshooting using free tips. If you run a business entity then, you must have a robust solution like Stellar Repair for Access.

Reply
Alvaro Ramirez says:

January 6, 2019 at 6:38 pm

Go to the table of the database double click, it will tell you that is corrupted and ask you if you want to repair it if you said yes it will repair it.

After it finishes you can open without a problem.

Reply
1. Eric Simson says:
  
  January 8, 2019 at 6:39 am
  
  Great contribution by SQL expert (Alvaro Ramirez).
  
  Your contribution will encourage other SQL experts to share their opinion with our blog readers.
  
  Reply
Patricia B. Lansford says:

December 22, 2018 at 10:50 am

I’m developing a project which uses the Microsoft Access 2016 database for my client. Due to the power cut problem, I lost the database file from the project. Then I restore all the data from the backup copy.

Now, when I try to access restore database file, it generates the error message “Unrecognized Database Format”.

WHY?

Reply
1. Eric Simson says:
  
  December 22, 2018 at 6:08 am
  
  For depth understanding & quick solution, visit the community reference Read More
  
  Reply
Richard J. Wheeler says:

December 8, 2018 at 10:49 am

We are suddenly started getting an “Unrecognized database format” error apparently for the backend database (Microsoft Access). I don’t have file backup. So, I have tried all manual methods like Compact Repair, Correct access version, and Install latest service pack.

Please provide another manual technique.

Reply
1. Eric Simson says:
  
  December 8, 2018 at 6:05 am
  
  Microsoft also provides a freeware utility “JetComp.exe”. You should try to run JetComp.exe utility.
  
  Note: Kindly rename the Master Client database to PROB.mdb before running the JetComp.exe utility.
  
  Reply
Charles B. Milo says:

November 21, 2018 at 9:02 am

I have encountered an unexpected error while working on Microsoft Access.
Error message ‘MS Access Error 3343’.
I have tried all manual solution but none of the solutions works.
How to get rid of this error?

Reply
1. Eric Simson says:
  
  November 21, 2018 at 9:05 am
  
  Try Stellar Repair for MS Access tool to fix Unrecognized Database Format Error 3343. This is a safe and secure way to repair MS Access error. To know more functionalities about this tool, user can simply download its free trial version and preview recoverable database objects.
  
  Reply
Bob says:

September 27, 2018 at 7:45 pm

Can we fix this one annoying problem using a software?

Reply
Someone using Visual Studios says:

September 5, 2018 at 10:06 am

The compact and repair tool worked for me, thank you.

Reply
Audrey Reeves says:

April 23, 2018 at 10:39 am

Our team had forgotten to update the latest antivirus program. But, this tool saved us from a panic situation.

Reply
1. Eric Simson says:
  
  April 24, 2018 at 6:55 am
  
  You can use this tool for the lifetime.
  
  Reply