Resolve Exchange 2010 Error Unable to Mount Database

Updated On - September 2, 2023 by Henry Bray |

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Summary: Are you irritated with the Exchange 2010 error “unable to mount database?” Then this article is for you. We have covered almost every effective solution to fix this error. Also, we have suggested an automated Regain Exchange Backup tool to back up your Outlook Exchange account.

Introduction

If the database is in a dirty shutdown state, as indicated below, it is apparent that the transaction log is missing. To restore the database to a consistent state, it is imperative to replay the log files into the database.

1. It can be achieved by executing the following command in ESEUTIL: eseutil /r /l /d.
2. The location of the logs must also be provided, for instance: G:\E_\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V14\Mailbox\DAGDB1.
3. Once the repair process is complete, it is recommended to run the eseutil /mh command to verify that the database is in a shutdown state.
4. If the database is verified to be in a clean shutdown state, it can be mounted back to exchange using the command – Mount-MailboxDatabase -Identity ‘-DAGDB1.edb’.

However, if the database still cannot be mounted, verifying the consistency of transaction logs is advisable. To verify and repair database logs using complex repair, the Eseutil tool can be utilized to test the database for any damaged pages. If any damaged pages are detected, the tool will delete them. The complex repair can be executed by running the command – Eseutil /p ‘\DAGDB1.edb’.

Why is the Exchange Server ‘Unable to Mount the Database’?

If the database still cannot be mounted, it is recommended to use a reliable third-party Exchange Recovery tool to restore data in any damage condition efficiently. This tool can repair corrupt Exchange database files without requiring log files or Exchange services. Additionally, the EDB to PST converter tool directly restores EDB files to the live Exchange Server and Office 365 mailbox.

Exchange Server 2010, a messaging and scheduling platform, operates on Windows Server 2008 and offers phone system integration like its predecessor, Exchange Server 2007. As the product’s seventh major release, it presents essential modifications and numerous minor enhancements compared to the previous version.

This version of Exchange Server boasts better scalability, particularly regarding the convoluted storage needs of its 2007 counterpart. Furthermore, the user experience has been refined within the Outlook Web App, successfully addressing several intricate issues. It has either resolved those issues or eliminated their complexity, ultimately simplifying the administrative tasks.

Most Common Reasons for this error

• Corrupt Exchange Database
• Missing Transaction logs
• Dirty Shutdown State
• Disk space issues

Solutions to Resolve Exchange Database Fails to Mount Issue

In this section, we will discuss a few manual techniques to address and resolve the issue of being unable to mount a database. It is crucial to understand that these methods necessitate extra roles, permissions, and additional time and effort. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that these techniques will be successful or recover the database. Most significantly, data loss is always a possibility. We have outlined these risks for your information so you can assess and determine whether to proceed with these approaches.

Utilize EseUtil

The EseUtil utility can be employed to tackle this problem; it is an inherent tool of the Exchange Server. This command-line tool offers insights into your database, enabling you to take suitable measures and rectify the unmounted database issue.

Method 1: Examine the Database State

Start by verifying the Exchange database’s condition using the command below in either the Command Prompt or Exchange Management Shell (EMS) as an administrator.
eseutil /mh

path to=”” database=”” /path

For example,
eseutil /mh M:\ExchangeDatabases\EXDB01

Examine the output and assess the database’s condition. If it shows Clean Shutdown, relocate the checkpoint and log files from the database directory before attempting to mount it again.

On the other hand, if the database exhibits a Dirty Shutdown state, it might be corrupted or inconsistent. Proceed with the subsequent steps to restore the database to a Clean Shutdown status.

The command output will also indicate any missing or uncommitted logs.

Warning: It is highly recommended to duplicate the database and its associated files before proceeding with the recovery procedures to prevent irreversible data loss.

Method 2: Conduct a Soft Recovery

In cases of minor damage or some uncommitted log files, perform Soft Recovery on the database. To do so, execute the command below.

• eseutil /r E04 /l M:\ExchangeDatabases\logs /d M:\ExchangeDatabases\EXDB01

The E04 in this command signifies the log prefix and corresponds to the absent log file. You can obtain this information from the eseutil /mh output. Jot down the line mentioning the necessary log file, as demonstrated below.
Log Required: 4-4 (0x4-0x4)

After running this command, verify the database status using the eseutil /MH parameter again. If recovery is successful, the status will return to Clean Shutdown. In that case, mount the database again via EAC or using the Mount-Database cmdlet in Exchange Management Shell.

If Soft Recovery proves ineffective and Dirty Shutdown persists, your only manual option is performing Hard Recovery using the eseutil /P parameter. However, be aware of potential complications:

During this procedure, corrupt or unrecoverable mailboxes, mail items, and data may be purged from the database, which could result in substantial data loss. Upon initiating Hard Recovery, you’ll be prompted to confirm your willingness to risk potential data loss from your database.

• Users won’t be able to access the database during this process.
• With Exchange Server 2013 or newer, you must execute the database defragmentation procedure using the PowerShell cmdlet New-MailboxRepairRequest.
• You cannot interrupt Hard Recovery once it commences. Wait for its completion before mounting the database.

Note: ESEUtil might not be able to resolve your database issues conclusively.

Upon a successful recovery, it is advised to transfer mailboxes from the restored database to a new, stable database. This process may be time-consuming and result in additional downtime, but it is crucial as the recuperated database holds a higher risk of future failure.

Points to Consider When Utilizing Native Tools for Restoring an Unmountable Database

• The restoration procedure using native tools can be significantly time-consuming, depending on the database size and available resources.
• It demands considerable time and administrative effort.
• Downtime is inevitable, as the database stays unavailable until the recovery is finished and the database is mounted.
• If Microsoft support is sought after attempting to repair the database with EseUtil Hard Recovery, they will not assist due to the problematic code marking on the database.
• Successful recovery is not guaranteed.
• Users cannot access their data while Exchange administrators execute the restoration process.

Use third-party Exchange recovery software

The Regain Exchange Server Recovery software provides an advanced and dependable solution for overcoming challenges connected with manual methods. This tool can promptly repair severely damaged or corrupt Exchange databases without requiring log files or additional permissions. It eliminates data loss concerns by improving and extracting mailboxes and items from a damaged database into PST files while maintaining complete integrity.

The Regain Exchange Recovery tool also allows you to export recovered mailboxes from an unmountable database directly to a new database on your active Exchange Server or Office 365 tenant. This software saves significant time and effort by automating source and destination mailbox mapping and employing parallel processing for expediting exports to destination servers. Furthermore, it minimizes downtime and restores user mailboxes efficiently and reliably with only a few clicks.

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A step-by-step guide to configuring Exchange Server backup.

1. Launch the “Regain Exchange Server Backup” program.
2. Enter your login information for “Exchange Server.”
3. Choose the “Connect to server” option.
4. You can back up your mailboxes by selecting “All Mailboxes” and “Selected Mailboxes.”
5. Choose a “Destination,” location, and a file format to save your Exchange Inbox.

It will automatically back up your Exchange mailbox data after you have installed and set it up. It also offers many other valuable features, such as an intuitive interface, the ability to back up in multiple formats, and more.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if the Exchange database becomes dismounted, Outlook may be disconnected, hindering users from sending and receiving new emails. In such situations, immediately remount the database. If mounting fails or an ‘unable to mount the database’ error occurs, examine the database state using EseUtil. If the Dirty Shutdown state is displayed, execute recovery to achieve a Clean Shutdown or a mount-ready condition.

You have two alternatives for this process: Soft Recovery or Hard Recovery. While Soft Recovery is a secure option, running Hard Recovery on an unmountable database can have significant consequences, such as data loss and hardcoding. Be aware that Microsoft will not provide support for hardcoded databases. Considering the risks and challenges associated with these options, employing a more efficient and prompt solution like Regain Exchange EDB Recovery tool is advisable. This Exchange recovery tool adeptly repairs even highly corrupted databases, extracts mailboxes, and saves them in PST format or directly exports them to your active Exchange Server or Office 365 tenant.

FAQs

Question 1: Why is my Exchange Database not mounting?

Ans: Exchange Database base neglects to mount is a genuinely normal issue that generally happens when the plate puts away the logs or sort of storage. An Exchange Database may likewise get off from the server because of a few different reasons, like unexpected closure, sudden power off, etc.

Question 2: How do I cleanup my Exchange 2010 Database?

Ans: To clean up the mailbox information base you really want to run the clean-mailboxdatabase order. Subsequent stage is to minimized and defrag the letter drop information base, this is finished by getting off the post box data set and utilize the esutil.exe utility to defrag the data set. Mount the information base.