How to Resolve Microsoft Access Database won’t Open Issue?

Sometimes, MS Access users face issues when opening a database file. The Access database won’t open issue may occur due to several reasons, such as corruption in database file, lack of permissions on the folder or database, and various others. In this article, we will discuss the reasons that may lead to the Access database won’t open issue and see how you to fix this issue.

Reasons behind Microsoft Access Database won’t Open Issue

Listed below are some common reasons for the Microsoft Access database is not opening issue:

• Trying to open Access database file created in an older MS Access version
• Insufficient permissions to open the database file
• Interruption in the network connection while opening a shared database file
• Shared database file is already in use by other users or system resources
• Corruption in the database file

Methods to Fix Microsoft Access Database not Opening Issue

Here are the methods you can follow to fix the Microsoft Access database won’t open issue.

Method 1: Check and Provide Right Permissions

You may face the Microsoft Access won’t open issue while trying to open a shared database file over a network. This happens if you do not have sufficient permissions (read, write, and full control) for the shared folder in which the database is stored. In this case, you can check and provide the required permissions. Follow the steps below:

• Right-click on the folder where the Access database file is stored.
• Select Properties from the context menu.
• Go to the Security tab and check if the following options are enabled:
  • Full control
  • Read
  • Write
• If not, enable them. Click Apply and then click OK.

Now, try opening the Access database file and see if the issue is resolved.

Method 2: Check and Convert Database File Format

You may experience problem while trying to open the database file created in an older MS Access version (2003 or previous) in a newer version (2007 or later). Older MS Access versions use the .mdb file format while the newer ones use the .accdb file format. To fix this issue, you can convert the Access database file format from .mdb into .accdb. To do this,

• Launch the MS Access (2007 or later) application on your PC.
• Click on File > Open.
• Click on Browse and select the .mdb file that you want to convert. Click on Open.
• Once the .mdb file opens, again click on File > Save As.
• Click on Save Database As under the File Types.
• Select the Access Database file type and click on Save As.
• In the Save As window, select the location where you want to save the converted database file and enter the file name.
• Click Save.

This will create a copy of the .mdb file in .accdb format.

Method 3: Set up a New Trusted Location

Sometimes, MS Access won’t open a database file if it is from an untrusted location. In such a case, you can move the database file to a trusted location and then try opening it again. Follow the steps below:

• Launch Microsoft Access on your Windows PC.
• Click on File > Options.
• Click on Trust Center in the Access Options
• Click on Trust Center Settings under Microsoft Office Access Trust Center.
• In the Trust Center window, click Trusted Locations.
• The Trusted Locations window will appear. Select the Allow Trusted Locations on my network checkbox to add a network location.
• Click 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 Subfolders of this location are also trusted, if you want to specify the subfolders.
• After adding a trusted location, click OK.

Now, move the database file to this new location and try to open it.

Method 4: Repair the Corrupt Access Database

If the Access database is corrupt, then you will not be able to open it. In such a case, you can use MS Access’ built-in Compact and Repair utility. This utility helps you fix minor database inconsistencies and corruption issues. Here is how you can use this utility to repair the corrupt database:

• Launch Microsoft Access on your Windows PC.
• Click on the Blank desktop database
• Give the new database a name and click Create.
• Now, select File > Close.
• In the Blank Database window, click on the Database Tools
• Click on the Compact and Repair Database option under Database Tools.
• Select the database you want to compact and repair, and click Compact.
• Once the process is complete, it will open the Compact Database Into Select the location where you want to save the compacted file, rename the file, and select the Save as type. Finally, click on Save to save the compacted file at the selected location.

Sometimes, the Compact and Repair utility fails to repair severely corrupted database files. In such a scenario, you can use an advanced Access repair software, such as Stellar Repair for Access. It is specifically designed to help users repair severely corrupt Access database files. It can recover all the components, such as tables, reports, forms, queries, macros, etc., from the corrupt database file and save them in a new database file. It supports MS Office 365, Access 2019, 2016, 2013, and earlier versions.

Final Word

There are several reasons, as discussed above, for the MS Access won’t open the database file issue. To fix this issue, you can follow the solutions explained above. If the database file is corrupted, you can use Stellar Repair for Access to repair the database (ACCDB/MDB) file and recover all the data with complete integrity and precision.