How to fix Exchange Database Dirty Shutdown Error?

Ruchika Srichand
Ruchika Srichand

Updated On - October 19, 2022

While trying to mount a database, Exchange administrators may sometimes face Dirty shutdown error. This dirty shutdown error will not let them mount the database as it is in an inconsistent state. It is the sudden termination of Exchange Server (due to reasons like power loss) that causes dirty shutdown error.

What is Dirty Shutdown in Exchange Server?

When you make changes in Exchange database, Exchange records this information in transaction log files before committing to the database. But when the log files are not replayed into the database, the modifications you have done are not reflected in Exchange database. In such a case your database is in an inconsistent state. This happens when the log files are corrupt, missing, or damaged. So, when your database is inconsistent, and you are trying to mount this, you will face a dirty shutdown error.

Recommended Solution
To fix Exchange database dirty shutdown error and recover mailboxes from dismounted EDB files, use Recoveryfix for Exchange Server Recovery.

Reasons for Dirty Shutdown

There are many reasons for the dirty shutdown error:

  • EDB files are not detached from log files properly.
  • Log files are missing from the server.
  • Log files are damaged.
  • The server is unable to read the log files

The Resolution to Dirty Shutdown

To fix this dirty shutdown error, first you need to check the status of the database to see whether the database is in dirty shutdown or clean shutdown. Use the below command on the Exchange Management Shell (run as administrator) to check the database status:

eseutil /mh < path to database >

If the Exchange database is in dirty shutdown state, then you have to fix it. Use the following steps to fix the dirty shutdown error.
1. Create a backup of your entire Exchange database files.
2. . Run eseutil command to check the consistency of the tool. Execute Use below command on the Exchange Management Shell:

eseutil /mh < path to database >

3. Now perform soft recovery on the database with this command:
eseutil /r enn /l < path to log files > /d < path to database file > /i
4. Now, recheck the consistency of the database. If it is still in an inconsistent state, then perform hard recovery. Run this command:

eseutil /p < path to database file >

5. Now it’s time to perform defragmentation on the database

eseutil /d < path to database file >

6. Finally, check the integrity of the database with the below command

Isinteg -s < server name > -fix -test alltests

Recover Exchange data without log files
Well, if you are still not getting the desired result, then you should recover mailboxes from the EDB file or the available Exchange backup files.

Recoveryfix for Exchange Server Recovery helps you in recovering mailboxes from dismounted EDB files. Yes, you can repair your Exchange database using this tool without log files and then you can export them to Exchange Server or Office 365 directly. In this software, you just need to add your offline EDB file as the source, and the software will automatically repair it. Then it offers you the options to export mailboxes to Exchange server, Office 365 or Outlook PST files.

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How to recover inaccessible Exchange Data from offline EDB files?

When you cannot mount EDB files due to dirty shutdown errors, you can try recovering data from offline EDB files by EDB to PST conversion. The entire recovery process is quite easy. You need to follow the steps:

  1. Launch the installed RecoveryFix for Exchange server tool and select Offline EDB file as the source.
  2. select EDB file as the source

  3. Add EDB file from your system hard drive and then move ahead.
  4. Add EDB file from your system hard drive and then move ahead

  5. Now the EDB file is successfully added as the source. The tool also offers a preview of the mailbox data.
  6. preview of the mailbox data.

  7. Now right-click on the source files and select Export mailboxes to PST.
  8. Export mailboxes to PST

  9. Select the mailboxes, mailbox folders, apply filters on data (like Date Range and Item Type) and select the required options (to split it into multiple PST & to create Unicode PST). Then click Export.
  10. click Export
    Now your Exchange mailboxes are successfully exported to PST files.

    Conclusion
    In this blog, we have dealt with the Exchange database dirty shutdown error by running a set of cmdlets in the Exchange Management Shell. Considering the risk of manual process failure, we have explained the use of a reliable third-party tool to recover the Exchange data efficiently and securely.

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