Fix MS Access Error 3343 “Unrecognized Database Format in MS- Access”File Repair Tool Blog

Have you come across Access error 3343 while you are working with MS Access? Are you looking to fix Access error “Unrecognized Database Format in MS- Access”? If “yes” then here is the solution that will help you fix this MS Access error.

If you are regular users of Access, then it is sure that you have come across with errors and issues. One of the most common errors that users get is “File does not belong to access database and it is unrecognized database format” which is also known as error 3343 when user try to access a stored data in Access database.

Now in your mind question would be arising why we get such error and what are the reasons behind it and how we can fix it? So, let us discover the possible causes and the solutions to fix MS Access 3343 error.

Reason No. – 1: Opening the MS-Access Database File in Older Versions

This generally happens when user try to open the database in Access 2010 which is created with Access 2013. And then the users get the error 3343 unrecognized database format. It is because the ACC2013 uses the new indexed method which is not compatible with ACC2010.

Solution

Make sure that the following settings are performed:

File>Options>General>Creating Database>New Database sort order

Also make sure that General>Legacy settings is severely followed. It is because Access 2010 will not get open with “General” format.

Also users need to convert 2013 database to 2010 database file format, by using Access 2013. After successful conversion of the database, you can then open the database in previous version such as in Access 2010.

Tips – It is suggested that you must not keep two different version of MS Access on the same database file because it can create possibility of file corruption.

Reason No. 2: Due to Database Corruption

You may also get this error message due to corruption to the database. Corruption is vital but yes it is also repairable. The corruption of the database can be repaired. The database file is single and large and therefore user split the file into two different files. Since, it is a one big single file and errors occur and it could be due to database gets broken, network disconnection or system crash and in simple words it gets corrupted.

Solution

If your database is corrupt then in this case you can recover the data stored in Access database easily if you have kept backup. If you have not kept the backup then you can use the Built-in Repair utility known as Compact and Repair Database. You can find the inbuilt utility setting here – Tools>Database Utilities>Compact and Repair Database

After applying the inbuilt utility, it compacts the database and starts repairing queries, indexes, tables and other data available in the database.

Ultimate solution to fix Access Error 3343 “Unrecognized Database Format”

If user is not able to open the database or above mentioned solution does not help you to fix the Access Error 3343 “Unrecognized Database Format” is caused due to some another reasons. In such cases you can take help of third party tool known as MS Access Repair tool. It comes with advance algorithm that scans your database and helps recover your database. It can completely repair corrupted database of MS Access.

Steps To Fix Access Error 3343 “Unrecognized Database Format”

Step 1:Download and install Access Repair tool.

Step 2: Click on “Open MS Access File” button to add Access file. You will find a pop-up window from where you can search or select for an ‘.mdb’/’.accdb’ file from your PC.

Step 3: After sellecting the file click on “Scan” button to start the scanning process.

Step 4: After the scanning process you will now be able to Preview the recovered database.

Step 5: Next you will be able to preview of database query.