Troubleshooting Access Database Not Opening Issue

Sometimes, when users try to open an Access database file on their Windows PC, it doesn’t open. Repeated attempts to open it also fail. Generally, Microsoft Access file no opening issue is due to database file corruption. But in some cases, Microsoft also prevents users from opening the Access database file when it finds a potential security concern.

However, this problem can also be due to other reasons discussed further ahead.

If your Access database file is not opening, then the methods explained below should help you fix the underlying issues.

Reasons Behind the Access Database Not Opening Issue

Apart from database file corruption, here are some possible reasons behind the Access database file not opening problem:

Insufficient permissions to open the database file
Network interruptions while opening a shared database file
Database is in an inconsistent state
The access database file is already in use
Database files created in older versions of MS Access
Access database file sourced from untrusted sources
Buggy Windows/MS Office update

How to Fix the Microsoft Access Database file Not Opening Issue?

Here are some detailed methods that you can use to eliminate the issue/s that prevent you from opening a Microsoft Access database file on your PC.

Method 1: Convert the Access Database File

If you are unable to open an old Access database file (.mdb file) on your Windows PC using a newer version of MS Access (Access 2013 or later), you can convert it to the .accdb file format to make it compatible with the newer versions of MS Access. Here are the steps to do it –

Note – Make a backup copy of your database file before proceeding.

Launch MS Access (2007 or later) on your PC.
Click on File > Open.
Select the .mdb file (Access 2000 or 2002-2003) that you want to convert.
Click File > Save As.
Click on Save Database As.
Select the Access database file type and then choose Save As.
In the Save As dialog box, enter a file name in the File name field.
Click Save.

Method 2: Check Permissions for Shared Database Files

Sometimes, you face the Microsoft Access database won’t open issue while trying to open a shared database file stored on a server. This issue with shared files arises when the Microsoft Jet database engine fails to create the lock file (.laccdb/.ldb file). This file is essential for a shared database file as it allows multiple users with correct permissions to open it simultaneously.

If you try to open a shared Access database file without the required permissions for the folder in which it is located, MS Access prevents the Microsoft Jet database engine from creating the lock file, and subsequently, the Microsoft Access database won’t open.

To open the file to make changes, you will need to have complete control permissions for the folder where the Access database file is stored. Follow the steps below to check the folder permissions:

Right-click on the folder where the database file is saved.
Select Properties from the context menu.
Check if the following options are enabled:
- Read
- Full control
- Write
If not, enable them.
Once you have enabled the options, click OK and then Apply.

Method 3: Move the Database File to the Trusted Location

In some cases, you may face the Microsoft Access database won’t open issue when you try to open an Access database file downloaded from an untrusted source or location. Upon opening the file, you will not see the ribbon. Instead, you will see this error message –

To fix this, you can try moving the database file to a trusted location, which can be considered safe to run the code. Follow the steps to specify a trusted location:

Launch MS Access.
Go to File > Options.
In the Access Options window, click Trust Center.
Click Trust Center Settings under the Microsoft Office Access Trust Center section.
In the Trust Center window, click Trusted Locations.
The Trusted Locations dialog box will appear.
Select the Allow Trusted Locations on my network checkbox to add a network location.
Click on Add New location.
Use one of the following options in the Microsoft Office Trusted Location dialog box:
- In the Path field, write the path of the location you need to add.
- Click the Browse button to browse to the location.
Select the Subfolders of this location are also trusted option.
After adding a trusted location, click OK.

Method 4: Repair Corrupt Database File

If the Microsoft Access file not opening issue is due to database file corruption, you will not be able to open it. In such a case, you can try to repair the access database file without opening it using the Compact and Repair functionality. It is a built-in MS Access tool that repairs various issues with the database file. It also removes any unutilized space from the database file to reduce its size, thereby improving its performance. Here is you can run the tool:

Launch Microsoft Access on your PC.
Select the Blank desktop database option.
Give the file a name and click Create.
Now, click on File in the ribbon and click on Close.
Now, click on Database Tools in the ribbon.
Click on the Compact and Repair Database option under it.
Select the database file you want to fix and click Compact.
Once the process is complete, a compacted and repaired copy of the Access database will be saved where your database is actually stored.

If Compact and Repair fails to fix the corrupted database file, then you can use Stellar Repair for Access. It is specifically developed Access database repair software to help you repair severely corrupt Access database files. The tool can recover various database objects, like reports, forms, tables, macros, etc. It can repair database files created in MS Access 2019, 2016, 2013, and earlier versions.

Conclusion

There are several reasons why you encounter the Microsoft Access database not opening issue. You can apply the solutions explained above to fix the problem at hand. If the database is corrupt, you can try the Compact and Repair tool in MS Access. If this tool does not work, you can use Stellar Repair for Access to repair the database (ACCDB/MDB) files.