Recover Microsoft Access Database Files in MDB/ACCDB Formats (2024)

Microsoft Access is a database management system included in Microsoft 365 suite. Its files may get lost or corrupted due to several reasons. How can you recover Microsoft Access Database files if your database files are lost? This MiniTool post gives you corresponding solutions.

Microsoft Access has its own file-saving formats. Access Database 2003 and earlier uses the MBD file format while Access Database 2007 and later uses the ACCDB format. No matter what kind of file format, you can read and try the instructions below to repair and recover Microsoft Access database files if necessary.

How to Recover Microsoft Access Database Files

Way 1. Recover MDB/ACCDB Files from Backups

If you have made data backups before the files are lost, this method can be the most direct and easiest way to recover MDB files and ACCDB files on your device. You can find the previous backup and then copy and paste the lost database files to the target destination.

Way 2. Recover MDB/ACCDB Files Using MiniTool Power Data Recovery

However, I believe that most people don’t have the regular backup habit. If no backups for the lost Microsoft Access database files, you can try to recover Microsoft Access database files with the help of professional data recovery software, like MiniTool Power Data Recovery.

This free file recovery software is capable of restoring types of files, including documents, pictures, videos, audio, databases, etc. You can get MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free first to deep scan your device to see if the lost MDB or ACCDB files can be found.

Step 1. Launch the software and choose the partition or a specific folder where the lost MDB or ACCDB files are stored to scan.

Step 2. Wait for the scan process to complete and look through the file list to find the wanted files. You can type the file extension into the search box and hit Enter to locate the file quickly. Optionally, change to the Type tab to look through the Database category to find files.

Step 3. Tick the database file you need and click Save to choose a save path different from the original one.

Please note the free edition only allows you to restore 1GB of files. You should update to a premium edition to get a larger data recovery capacity.

How to Repair Corrupted Access Database Files

Way 1. Repair Corrupted MDB/ACCDB Files Using Compact and Repair Feature

Similar to other Microsoft applications, Microsoft Access is embedded with a repair utility, Compact and Repair. You can use this tool to try to repair corrupted MDB files and ACCDB files first.

Step 1. Create a blank database file in Microsoft Access.

Step 2. Choose Database Tools at the top toolbar and select Compact and Repair Database.

Step 3. In the following window, you should navigate and choose the corrupted Microsoft Access database file and click Compact.

Step 4. You should rename the file and select a location to save the file. Click Save to confirm.

Afterward, you can go to the save destination to see if the corrupted MDB or ACCDB file can be opened normally.

Way 2. Repair Corrupted MDBACCDB Files Using Access File Repair Software

If the above method doesn’t repair ACCDB files or MDB files successfully, you can try to use specialized Access file repair tools, like Stellar Repair for Access. This tool can repair both MDB and ACCDB files. You can read this post to get detailed information about this tool.

Bottom Line

This post shows you methods to repair and recover Microsoft Access database files. You can follow this guide to try to rescue your files. We strongly recommend that you back up important files to avoid data loss or file corruption.