How to Fix SQL Backup Database is Terminating Abnormally Issue?
When users work with Microsoft SQL Server, they often encounter various errors in the database. These errors can occur due to several reasons, and finding the root cause of such errors is quite complex. The SQL backup database is terminating abnormally is one such issue.
The SQL database backup failed errors can occur with different error codes indicating the same problem; hence, we have described each error code with effective solutions.
Resolve SQL Server Backup Failed Error 9001
When the user is performing a database backup, they might come across the following error:
Msg 3013, Level 16, State 1, Line 1 BACKUP DATABSE is terminating abnormally. Msg 9001, Level 21, State 1, Line 1 The log for database “XXXX” is not available.
An error with event code 9001 indicates that the database log file does not exist. This can happen if the LDF (log database file) file is deleted/missing, or damaged. To fix the error code 9001: SQL backup database is terminating abnormally, the methods given below will help.
- First, diagnose SQL Server database errors. Then, run the CHECKDB Transact-SQL query for the error details and restart the SQL Server instance later. In case the method doesn’t work, first fix DBCC CHECKDB not working issue, and then proceed with the error repair.
- Verify that the SQL service account has read/write permissions to the log database file.
- Run Event Viewer to see if the problem is caused by a deadlock event. If this is the case, run a new transaction.
- If you are trying to run an alternate database query through the GUI, use the query window to run the query and see if the problem is resolved.
- Check if the Auto Close Database option is on. If yes, change the Auto Close status to False.
We will now take a look at different error codes occurring in SQL Server databases and further find the optimal solutions to resolve them seamlessly.
SQL Server Backup Failed Error 3266 & 3013 – Explained
SQL Server 2000 Error Code 3266:
Server: Msg 3266, Level 16, State 1, Line 1 The backup data in “devicename” is incorrectly formatted. Backups cannot be appended, but existing backup sets may still be usable. Server: Msg 3013, Level 16, State 1, Line 1 Backup database is terminating abnormally.
This error code 3266, with the display message “SQL backup database is terminating abnormally” occurs when a user runs an alternate database query. It may also appear when users try to restore a large database to an existing database.
SQL Server 2005 Error Code 3013
Server: Msg 3013, Level 16, State 1, Line 1 The backup data in “devicename” is incorrectly formatted. Backup sets on the media might be damaged and unusable. To determine the backup sets on the media, use RESTORE HEADERONLY. To determine the usability of the backups sets, run RESTORE VERIFYONLY. If all of the backup sets are incomplete, reformat the media using BACKUP WITH FORMAT, which destroys all the backup sets. Server: Msg 3013, Level 16, State 1, Line 1 Backup database is terminating abnormally.
You may see event ID 3013 error while restoring both the data file and log file simultaneously. Get a reliable solution to Solve SQL Database Restore Failed Issue.
SQL Backup Database is Terminating Abnormally – Common Reasons
The common reasons for error code 3266 and 3013 are listed below:
- The error might occur because the secondary device cannot read file markers, and SQL Server does not write any additional data to the device.
- This error can be caused by a media failure on the device, including the database backup.
- You may see a write failure while creating a backup of your SQL Server database.
- The same can happen if the network connection is lost while backing up the network database.
- After a successful write to disk, parameters are reported for SQL Server; an IO path failure may occur while attempting to flush writes to disk.
Solutions to Fix SQL Backup Database is Terminating Abnormally Error
Do not restore the same backup in SQL Server. The same error codes may occur again. To fix the error, try the following solutions.
Note: These solutions might resolve the issue if there are no corruption errors in the backup file. To repair the corruption-related issues, go with the professional solution to solve the SQL backup file-related issue.
Solution 1: Delete the Previous SQL Server Backup
Manually delete previous backups, allowing SQL Server to make new backups to the backup device and fix errors. To manually delete the last backup. Use the following command:
BACKUP DATABASE mysampledb TO DISK= ‘C:\mysampledb.bak’ with format
Solution 2: Perform Full SQL Backup Restoration
A partial restore might not be the solution if the SQL backup database is terminating abnormally. Try a full backup restore technique. To make a full backup, first uninstall the backup application and then install it again. Make sure that the account associated with the SQL service is a member of the “Domain User Group” and has “Write” permissions on the Windows server.
Solution 3: Use a Professional SQL Backup Recovery Program
The dedicated SQL Backup Recovery Software completely restores the SQL Server database from the backup file. The solution helps restore the database objects such as tables, triggers, stored procedures, etc. Database administrators can also easily recover deleted SQL database objects with records with the help of this smart solution.
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This program fully restores SQL.bak files to SQL Server databases, SQL scripts, and CSV formats. The tool helps recover SQL Server database from backup files of any type.
Working Steps to Fix SQL Backup Database is Terminating Abnormally
Follow the software steps to perform the task:
Step 1: Install the tool first. Then Add SQL BAK Files. The tool offers Auto-detect mode and manual mode to choose multiple backup files. 
Step 2: After the scan, the utility offers a preview of recovered data. Verify all SQL backup file objects with records.
Step 3: Next, select Export Options: SQL Server Databases, SQL Scripts, or CSV Format to save recovered data.
Step 4: Option to Save SQL Database with Schema or with Schema and Data. Then, click on the export button to fix SQL backup database is terminating abnormally.
Summing Up
If you get errors like SQL backup database is terminating abnormally with error codes 9001, 3266, and 3013 while restoring your database, follow this guide for the best solutions. Kindly check if there is another backup set available on your storage device and restore it, and if you are unable to restore the .bak file, the file may be corrupted. Use the professional solutions as mentioned above.