[ms-access] Corrupted Access .accdb file: "Unrecognized Database Format"

I'm having a problem. One of my databases on our shared network will not open for any user. It says "Unrecognized Database Format."

I've had this problem before but was still able to open the database, compact and repair, or import all of the database objects into a new database.

The problem here is -- I can't even get it to the point of opening. Is there a solution here without the use of third party software to repair the database?

This question is related to ms-access ms-access-2010

The answer is


WE had this problem on one machine and not another...the solution is to look in control panel at the VERSION of the Access Database Engine 2007 component. If it is version 12.0.45, you need to run the service pack 3 http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=27835

The above link will install version 12.0.66...and this fixes the problem...thought I would post it since I haven't seen this solution on any other forum.


Open access, go to the database tools tab, select compact and repair database. You can choose the database from there.


Well, I have tried something I hope it helps ..

They changed the schema a little bit ..

Use the following :

1- Change the AccessDataSource to SQLDataSource in the toolbox.

2- In the drop down menu choose your access database (xxxx.accdb or xxxx.mdb)

3- Next -> Next -> Test Query -> Finish.

Worked for me.


Sometimes it might depend on whether you are using code to access the database or not. If you are using "DriverJet" in your code instead of "DriverACE" (or an older version of the DAO library) such a problem is highly probable to happen. You just need to replace "DriverJet" with "DriverACE" and test.


After much struggle with this same issue I was able to solve the problem by installing the 32 bit version of the 2010 Access Database Engine. For some reason the 64bit version generates this error...


Try to create a new database and import every table, query etc into this new database. With this import Access recreates all the objects from scratch. If there is some sort of corruption in an object, it should be solved.

If you're Lucky only the corrupted item(s) will be lost, if any.