Understanding SQL Server Error 5180: Causes & Fixes Explained

Have you encountered the SQL Server Error 5180 and are looking for ways to repair it? This guide is exactly what you need. With the help of this thorough article, we will try to understand what this error is and further the ways that can help the users to resolve the error. Let’s begin by understanding the error first. 

SQL Server Error 5180 & Why it Occurs?

The occurrence of this error in the SQL Server database specifies that the SQL Server is not able to read the database file. This can lead to various issues, one of them being database inaccessibility. If we talk about the reasons why this error occurs, there are many of them. We will try to understand these causes one by one and further find solutions accordingly for the users to effectively deal with the SQL Error 5180. 

• Corruption in the file header of the database files.
• Page-level corruption in the database.
• Storage or disk failure or issues.
• Abrupt SQL Server shutdowns or power outages.
• Failed or incomplete SQL operations.
• Issues with database file permissions.

As we can see here, the major cause for this error is due to damage or corruption in the database files or components of the database files. When the error occurs, the major impact on the users and database administrators is that the database becomes inaccessible. However, there are various other issues that the users encounter with the occurrence of this error. Let’s take a look at those challenges once. 

Challenges Encountered By Users Due to the Error

• The major issue encountered by the users is the database inaccessibility when the SQL Server error 5180 occurs. 
• Trying to resolve the error or repairing corruption manually can result in permanent data loss risk and further lead to bigger issues for the users.
• If the recent database backups aren’t available or the SQL Server backup detected corruption, it becomes difficult for the users to recover the database. 
• Another issue users face is the downtime during the database operations. With the error in the database, the users cannot use the database till it is repaired, resulting in prolonged downtime. 
• If not resolved timely manner, the error can also lead to other SQL Server errors, such as error 926 and 3414. 

To resolve these challenges, the users must choose the optimal solutions accordingly. We will now proceed with understanding the solutions that will help the users to repair the database corruption and further resolve the error. 

How to Fix SQL Server Error 5180? Best Ways to Repair the Database

There are various ways to resolve the error depending on the cause of the error. We will learn all these methods one by one and further try to understand the implementation of these methods to repair the error easily. Beginning with the first method, let’s see how it helps with repairing the error effectively. 

Method 1: Repair the Database Error 5180 With the DBCC CHECKDB Command

The first method we will be discussing is the DBCC CHECKDB command. This command helps the users detect if there is any corruption in the database and helps repair the issue with the repair modes offered. Here are the commands that will help the users detect the issue and further repair the database. 

1. To check the error in the database, run the following command:
   DBCC CHECKDB(‘DATABASE_NAME’) WITH NO_INFOMSGS, ALL_ERRORMSGS;
   
2. Once the error messages are displayed, choose one repair mode as required. Here we are assuming that the Error code 5180 occurred due to a severe corruption within the database components. Hence, we will be using the REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS mode to resolve the error.
   DBCC CHECKDB (‘DATABASE_NAME’, REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS);

These commands will help you inspect the database and further repair the error. But this method is only suggested as a last resort, as the REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS command can lead to permanent data loss. Moving on to the next method, let’s see how it helps the users to resolve the error.

Method 3: Use a Professional Solution to Repair SQL Server Error 5180

The manual method to repair the error can be complex and confusing for users. This is why, in such situations, it is considered best to use an automated software to repair the database error effectively. In this situation, we will use the SQL Database Recovery Tool.

The solution not only offers users the ability to recover the affected data after database corruption, but also allows users to export the recovered data to another database, if required. The steps to use this utility are as follows:

1. Install and open the suggested software. Click on Open to add the MDF files in the recovery tool. 
2. Choose the scanning mode as per the intensity of the SQL table corruption. 
3. Once the scanning is completed, preview all the scanned database objects.
4. Next, to export the recovered data, click on the export button. Enter the required login and authentication credentials in the provided text fields. 
5. Choose the destination path from the two given options and proceed with selecting the recovered data that needs to be exported from the software. 
6. Click on Export button to export the recovered data and resolve SQL Server Error 5180. 

These steps will allow the users to repair the database corruption along with the database components, and further help users to access their SQL databases effectively.

Method 3: Restore From Backup to Fix the Error 5180

This method is a safer approach if the user has a recent backup file of the affected database available. With the help of the backup file, the users can restore the database easily. The command to recover the database using a backup file is as follows:

USE master;

RESTORE DATABASE Database_Name

FROM DISK = ‘C:\Backups\Backup_File.bak’

WITH REPLACE;

This command will allow you to restore the database using the backup file and further resolve the SQL Server error 5180. But this method will only work if the user has the backup file available for the affected database. Hence, to resolve the error and reaccess the database, it is recommended to use the automated solution, as manual intervention can lead to data loss risks. 

Conclusion

With the help of this technical write-up, we have understood the SQL Server error 5180 and what are the possible causes for the error. Additionally, we have suggested the best ways that will allow the users to resolve the error in a more secure and seamless way.