SQL Server Access Denied Attach Database Error Resolved

Any error that directly impacts access to the database is a nightmare for the database administrators. A similar error that restricts the user access to the database is ‘SQL Server access denied attach database’. To resolve the error in the SQL Server, the users need to understand the cause of the error and then use appropriate methods to repair the issue.

Here, we are going to discuss these factors only along with an explanation of what the SQL error 5 access is denied error is. 

What is the SQL Server Access Denied Error 5?

To access a database, it is necessary to attach the database to the SQL Server. However, several reasons restrict the users from attaching the database. When the error occurs the users receive the error message ‘Operating System Error 5: Access is Denied’. This message indicates that due to some cause, the database failed to connect to the server and can’t be accessed. With the occurrence of the error SQL Server access denied attach database, it is clearly understood that the access to the required file is denied. 

This error can be seen in various situations, like:

When the User Tries to Attach The SQL Database

As the error directly impacts the database connectivity, it restricts the database from being attached to the SQL Server. There can be numerous reasons leading to this issue, but in the end, it restricts the users from accessing the database. 

During the Restoration of a Database

To restore the database in SQL Server, a backup file is required. But if the user doesn’t have sufficient permissions to access the file, they won’t be able to access the file and will eventually end up with the error SQL Server access denied error 5. 

Accessing the Database For Daily Operations

Without the database access, the SQL Server will be unable to perform any read/write operations. 

But what are the possible reasons for the occurrence of this error? Let’s take a look at the reasons that lead to the error SQL error 5 access is denied.

Causes for SQL Server Access Denied Attach Database

The access denied error in SQL Server is caused due to several reasons. These reasons include issues like insufficient permissions and corruption. We will understand these causes in a detailed way to learn how they restrict access to the database. 

Due to Insufficient File Permissions

To access the database, the user must have all the required permissions. If the user accessing the database files or backup files in SQL has insufficient permissions, they will encounter the error SQL Server access denied error 5. 

Change in File Location

If the file path used to attach the database is invalid or incorrect, this will raise the access is denied error. This can occur if the location of the file has changed or the file doesn’t exist anymore. 

Corruption in Desired File 

This is one of the common reasons for the  SQL error 5 access is denied issue. If the backup file or the required database file is corrupted, it will create challenges for the user to access the files and further attach the database. 

Specified File in Use

If the file required to attach the database or restore the database is in use by another database or server, the access is denied error will arise. To use the file, they must be free from access to only other networks or users, and then this error will be resolved. 

These all are the causes that lead to the occurrence of the error in the SQL Server. As the error directly impacts the database operations, there are various challenges that the users face after the error arises. To resolve those challenges along with the access denied error, it is important to choose the right methods. So now we will move to the solutions to understand how the issue can be repaired. 

How to Fix the SQL Server Access Denied Attach Database Error?

To fix the access is denied error in the SQL Server, it is necessary to choose the right methods. We will learn and understand the best ways that can help the database administrators resolve the error and access the database more efficiently. We will take a look at the solutions one by one and go through the steps for a better understanding of the methods. 

Also Read: How to resolve the Microsoft SQL Server Error 2 efficiently?

Method – 1: Check the Necessary Permissions of Required Files

To repair the access denied error, it is required for the users to have the necessary permissions to access the desired files. We can check and grant these permissions to the users by following the given steps:

1. Locate the specified backup or database files and right-click on it. 
2. From the options, choose properties and go to the security tab from it. 
3. In the security tab, check if the user trying to access the files has the necessary permissions or not. 
4. If the user doesn’t have permission, add the user’s name by clicking on the edit button and then on the Add button. 
5. After adding the name, click on the OK button. 
6. Next, add the necessary permissions from the checklist and ensure you give the Modify permission to the user. 
7. Click on the OK button once the user is granted the required permissions. 

These steps will help the user to resolve the SQL Server access denied error 5. By following the above steps, the user can efficiently add the user for the necessary permission to access the files and resolve the error. Let’s take a look at the next method to understand how it will help with error handling. 

Method – 2: Verify The File Location to Resolve the SQL Error 5 Access is Denied Issue

One of the reasons for the error to occur is the invalid or incorrect file path. The file path can be invalid or incorrect if the specified file has been moved from the mentioned location or does not exist anymore. This issue can be resolved by checking and verifying if the location specified is correct or not. To attach the database or to restore the database from the backup files, it is required for the user to specify the correct location. 

Method – 3: Fix the SQL Server Access Denied Attach Database Issue With SQL Server Database Service Account Permissions

When working in the SQL Server Database, the SQL Server Service Account must have sufficient permissions to perform operations like read, write, detach, or attach the database. With insufficient permissions, access is denied error will arise. So, to resolve the error caused due to this specific reason, we will check if the service account in the SQL Server has sufficient permissions or not. 

The given command will help you to check the required permissions in the service account:

SELECT servicename, service_account

FROM sys.dm_server_services;

With the help of this command, you can check and repair the issue caused due to insufficient permissions in the SQL Server. 

Method – 4: Repair the SQL Server Access Denied Error 5 With SSMS

In some situations, the error might occur if the user is not using the SQL Server Management Studio with the Administrator Rights. To resolve the error, that occurred due to this error, we can resolve with the following steps:

1. Go to the Windows Menu and search for SQL Server Management Studio. 
2. Then, right-click on the SSMS, and choose the Run As Administrator Option.

This will allow you to have administrator rights in the SQL Server database and further resolve the error efficiently. Let’s now take a look at the next method to understand how it will help with the error resolution. 

Method – 5: Use the Advanced Solution To Resolve the SQL Error 5 Access is Denied

If the error was raised due to corruption in the SQL database files, it becomes more important to resolve the error and recover the files without compromising the database’s integrity. For that, it is advised by the experts to use a professional solution and repair the error more reliably. The tool we are suggesting is using the SQL Server Database Recovery Tool.

Let’s now understand how the tool helps to fix the error in the SQL Database.

1. Install and launch the repair software.
   
   
2. Open the MDF file in the software by clicking on the Open button.
   
   
3. After that, you will get the two scanning modes, Quick Scan and Advanced Scan. Choose one scanning mode.
   
   
4. When the files are scanned, you can preview them in the software window.
   
   
5. Next, click on the export button to export the recovered files and resolve the SQL Server access denied attach database issue.
   
   

These steps will help you recover the database files more securely and efficiently. Additionally, with the recovery of the corrupted files, the user can easily repair the access is denied error in the SQL Server Database. Proceeding with the next method, we will now understand how it will help with the error resolution. 

Method – 6: Resolve the Error With DBCC CHECKDB Command

As we all know, the DBCC CHECKDB command helps detect minor corruptions or any damage in the SQL database. So to understand the issue and resolve it, this command can be helpful. The way to run the command is explained below:

1. In case the user needs to check if there is any damage or corruption in the database, the given command will be used:
   DBCC CHECKDB(‘DB_NAME’, WITH NO_INFOMSGS, ALL_ERRORMSGS);
2. After detecting the issue, the user can choose from the three repair modes available, which are, REPAIR_FAST, REPAIR_REBUILD, and REPAIR_ALOW_DATA_LOSS.
   Here we will use the REPAIR_FAST to deal with the minor corruption in the database. The command will be implemented as follows:
   DBCC CHECKDB(‘DB_NAME’, REPAIR_FAST);

The DBCC command will help the users repair minor corruption in the database and resolve error 5 in SQL Server. With the help of these methods, the users can efficiently understand the cause and repair the error accordingly in the SQL Server Database. 

Conclusion

In this article, we have understood the issues that arise with the SQL Server access denied attach database. Here we have mentioned the possible causes of the error and the solutions that can help with the error handling. In case you ever get stuck with the access is denied error in the SQL Server, take help with this thorough technical write-up.