How to Solve MS Access ‘Unrecognized Database Format’ Error?

The extensibility of MS Access database format is the main reason why sometimes users fail to determine the Access database corruption. This happens because crashes and errors can also root from macros, VBA code, plug-ins, and the like reasons. To exemplify, let’s consider the following error message that can occur while trying to open an Access database:

‘Unrecognized Database Format’

This error can appear for the reasons mentioned below:

• You are trying to open an Access database in an earlier version.
• You are trying to open a corrupted/damaged database.

Fixing the Issue 

If ‘Unrecognized Database Format’ occurs while attempting to open the database in an earlier version, you can apply any of the below possible solutions:

• Open the Access database in the later version of MS Access it was created
• Convert the database to the earlier version of MS Access. For this, you need to have the newer version of MS Access and follow the steps given below:
• Open the database (If the database is shared, ensure that it is not opened)
• Click Tools menu and point to Database Utilities. Click Convert Database and then To Access version File Format, where version is the version of MS Access to which you want to convert the database
• Type the name of the file in File name box of Convert Database Into dialog box and click Save

If ‘Unrecognized Database Format’ occurs while attempting to open the corrupted database, you need to implement any of the given solutions:

• Restore the database from your last working backup
• Use ‘Compact and Repair’ utility to repair Access database. To do so, follow these steps:
• Close the database (If the database is shared, ensure that it is not opened)
• Backup the database
• Click Tools menu and point to Database Utilities. Click Compact and Repair Database
• From Database to Compact From dialog box, specify the name of the file and click Compact
• In Compact Database Into dialog box, specify the destination and name of the compacted Access file and click Save

Data Recovery Info

 

If ‘Compact and Repair’ utility is unable to fix the database corruption, you need a powerful third-party Access Recovery software to perform the repair. These are well-equipped products that can repair Access Database within clicks. The software use high-end plus safe scanning algorithms that result a complete Access Repair of corrupted database.

Applies To

• Microsoft Access 97
• Microsoft Access 2000
• Microsoft Access 2002
• Microsoft Access 2003