How to Troubleshoot Exchange Database Dirty Shutdown Problem?

Hello Readers! Today in this guide we will provide you with solutions to Troubleshoot Exchange Database Dirty Shutdown error along with the reasons that cause this error. So, let’s start.
Microsoft Exchange Server is a mail server that is important for the organizations as it is used for keeping backup of the data including emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, etc. Exchange server uses Exchange database files (EDB) for the data backup purpose so that in case of any crash situation recovery can be done.
But, like any other database files, EDB (Exchange Database files) are prone to data corruption too. One of the most common corruption errors that we face is the Exchange Dirty Shutdown error.

What is the Exchange Database Dirty Shutdown error?

The dirty shutdown is a state of Exchange server which means that the log file is not committed to its database and there are chances of losing the database data.
Log files are important as they keep track of all the operations performed in the database. When these log files are left in the cache memory and are not committed they are termed as “DIRTY” and accidentally if the system is turned off then it shows the error.

Reasons for Exchange Database Dirty Shutdown

The Exchange Dirty Shutdown error is mainly received due to inconsistency in the transaction of log files. When the EDB files are not properly detached from the log files then also this issue is encountered. Due to this problem, the state of inconsistency is attained and opening the EBD files at this time, displays the dirty shutdown issue.

Verifying the Database state

Before going through the solution for exchange database recovery from dirty shutdown lets check the state of a database for a clean or dirty shutdown state. For that:
Firstly, Press the start button and type cmd and click on enter.
Note: We are taking an example that the Exchange server is installed at location: ‘c:\program files\exchsrvr folder’ and the database is saved at path: ‘c:\program files\exchsrvr\mdbdata folder’
The Exchange database state will be from any one of the below options-

• Clean Database State- If your Database is properly detached.
• Dirty Database State- If the transactions are not committed.

Recovering from Dirty Database State

If the database is in Dirty Database State, then it is required to convert the state to the Clean Database state to recover the exchange database from a dirty shutdown. For achieving that follow the below method.

• First of all, make sure that you have enough space in your system for the error recovery process and keep a backup of all the Exchange database files at a secure location. Open Eseutil (an inbuilt repair utility of Exchange Server). It will check the consistency of the database.
• On the tool, run the below command. --->> eseutil/mh “C:\ program files\ exchsrvr\ mdbdata\ priv1.edb”
• On the corrupt EDB files perform the soft repair by running the following command. ( If the database in Dirty shutdown state). --->> eseutil/r “C:\ program files\ exchsrvr\ mdbdata\ priv1.edb“
• Check again for consistency, if it is is still in an inconsistent state, then perform the hard repair by running the below command. --->> eseutil/p “C:\ program files\ exchsrvr\ mdbdata\ priv1.edb“
• Now, you have to defragment the database store by running the following command on the tool --->> “Eseutil/d”
• By using another utility, “Isinteg” check for the integrity of the database by running the following command. --->> “Isinteg –s servername –fix –test alltests“

By using this technique you will be able to recover from the problem of the dirty shutdown. If you are unable to recover from this issue then there are chances that the EDB files are corrupted. But no need to worry by using an EDB repair tool we can recover from corrupted EDB files. The utility offers many prominent features that will help you out in backing backup and even exporting the EDB files to other formats.

Final verdict

Here, we have discussed the Exchange Database Dirty Shutdown problem and how we can recover from that without any hassle. If even after using the mentioned method you are not able to recover from the problem then you can use the EDB recovery tool that is mentioned in the article.