SQL Server Error 945 – A Guide With Best Solutions

Of the numerous errors encountered by the users while performing any operation in the database, SQL Server Error 945 is the most common. Being a database error, it majorly impacts the accessibility of the database and also creates disruptions in the workflow of the organizations and businesses. 

Through this write-up, we will try to understand what the error signifies and how it can affect the users while performing any operation in the database. Additionally, we will figure out the solutions and workarounds that will help the users resolve the error easily. 

What is Error 945 SQL Server?

The error 945 usually occurs with the message ‘database cannot be opened due to inaccessible files or insufficient memory or disk space. ’ This message explains clearly that one of the causes for the error can be insufficient disk space or an insufficient memory issue. 

When the error occurs, the database becomes inaccessible for the users and restricts the user from performing any operations till the error is resolved. However, this is not the only cause for the error. There are a few other factors that can cause the error and create challenges for the users. We will now take a look at the other causes of the error and try to find the solutions to resolve the SQL Server Error 945. 

What Causes the Error?

There can be multiple reasons that can trigger this error. We will now understand these causes one by one for a better grasp of the issue and then resolve the error using the best solutions. 

Disk Space Insufficiency

As we read earlier, one of the major causes for the error to occur is the memory or disk space insufficiency. With low disk space or memory, the database files (MDF.NDF) can not expand properly and may restrict the users from proceeding with their day-to-day tasks. 

Database File Corruption

This might be an obvious reason for the SQL Server Error 945. If the database files are corrupted, they won’t function properly and will lead to bigger challenges like database inaccessibility and data loss. Database corruption is one of the reasons that damages the workflow to a bigger extent. 

‘Recovery Pending or Restrict Mode’ of the Database

When the SQL Server database detects a possible issue while starting the database or during the recovery of the database, it will create challenges for the users to continue the process and will restrict them from further accessing the database till the issue is resolved. 

Insufficient Permissions

Insufficient permissions in the database will restrict the users from accessing or getting into the database to perform any actions. This will eventually lead to users losing access to the database and disrupt the workflow. 

All these causes can play a major role in causing the Error 945 SQL Server and can create bigger challenges for the users to proceed with their work in the database as per their requirements. Let’s now take a look at the solutions that will help with resolving this error efficiently and access the database again without any issues. 

How to Fix SQL Server Error 945 – Overview

After going through the causes of the error, we can conclude that multiple solutions will help the users resolve the issue and access the database again. These solutions depend on the factors that caused the error. We will now take a look at these solutions and will try to understand the methods one by one. The solutions we will first go through are the troubleshooting methods that might help to resolve the error. 

Method 1: Fix the Error By Freeing Up Disk Space 

As we now know, one of the reasons for Error 945 SQL Server is insufficient disk space or memory. So, it becomes necessary to check whether the disk has enough space for MDF and NDF file expansion or not. After monitoring the disk space, if you do not have sufficient space, it is then suggested to free up space. After freeing up the disk space, users can easily proceed with their day-to-day tasks and efficiently access their databases. To free up the disk space for repairing the SQL Server Error 945, one can do the following things:

1. Check for unnecessary files and delete them. 
2. Move any necessary data to any other drive to keep it secure and provide sufficient space for the database to run. 
3.  If possible, a user can also go for storage expansion to ensure sufficient space for the SQL Server. 

Method 2: Check and Grant Required Permissions

To resolve the error, users are required to grant the required permission to the database, as one of the causes for the error is insufficient permissions. By providing the necessary permissions, users can fix the database issue. To check the permissions of the database, follow the given steps:

1. Go to the folder where the database files (MDF and LDF) are stored. 
2. Right-click on the database files and go to properties.
3. Then, go to the Security tab and check whether the database files have the necessary permissions or not. If not, grant the permissions to resolve the SQL Server Error 945. 

After providing the necessary permissions, users will be able to access the database again without a hassle. Moving on to the next method, let’s understand how it will help to resolve the error. 

Method 3: Check Auto-Growth Settings

With the help of Auto-Growth settings, users can efficiently repair Error 945 SQL Server. By enabling this setting, this error can be resolved only if the error was caused due to insufficient disk space. To fix this error, follow the given steps: 

1. Go to SQL Server Management Studio and then connect the required SQL Server instance to it. 
2. After that, go to databases and right-click on the desired database. Then, go to the properties.
3. Now, choose the Select a Page option, then go to files. Next, check Enable Autogrowth option. 

With this, you can enable the settings and fix the “database cannot be opened due to inaccessible files or insufficient memory or disk space” error. 

Method 4: Using a Professional Solution to Resolve the SQL Server Error 945

The troubleshooting methods for this error can help to resolve and fix the error, but they don’t guarantee complete resolution of the error. This is why we need a professional solution that can find the cause of the error and resolve it efficiently. The solution we are suggesting here is the SQL Database Recovery Tool.

This software will not only help you resolve the error caused by database file corruption but also fix the error caused due to Recovery Pending or Restrict Mode.

Let’s now take a look at the steps to how the solution can fix the error in a much better way.

1. Install and run the software. Click on the Open button to load the database files into the software.
2. Next, choose a scanning mode from Quick Scan or Advanced Scan to check for any corruption in the database. 
3. After the scan is complete, you will be able to preview the recovered data in the software panel. 
4. Click on the export button and configure the required settings to save the recovered data and repair the Error 945 SQL Server.

In a few easy steps, you can efficiently repair the error and access the database again.

Conclusion

With the help of this detailed guide, we have tried to understand and elaborate on SQL Server Error 945. We have also explained the error in a detailed way so that users can grasp it. Additionally, we have suggested a few solutions to help the users resolve the error.