How to Fix Microsoft SQL Server Error 5123

The solutions on this page can be applied to resolve 5123 error with access denied or database attach failure in MS SQL Server 2014/2012/2008 R2/2005.

When you try to attach a database in SQL Server, but get an error message, reporting that "Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 5123" as the image shown below:

You will not be able to access the SQL Server database. Check the list of reasons that cause SQL error 5123, and if you find that your problem matches the listed reasons, read on to find the solution and fix this error:

• Database Attach Failure: Attaching and detaching database data file with several different logins.
• Access Denied: Attach a database which is placed on a different location and doesn’t have sufficient privileges to the folder directory or no proper permission to run the program folder. 

Although, many experienced administrators know how to resolve the 5123 error in SQL Server. It’s still necessary to know better and more effective methods to fix and repair more SQL Server database problems. Read on, and learn how to fix SQL Server 5123 error on your own.

Manual workaround to fix MS SQL Server 5123 error

By following the below manual steps, you’ll be able to resolve the Microsoft SQL Server error 5123 quickly:

• Step 1: Run SQL Server and right-click on the MDF or NDF file that you wish to attack.
• Step 2: Select "Properties" to check the permission of .mdf or .ndf file.
• Step 3: Click the "Add" button to grant the login permission and gain full control during the login process.

Also, you can attempt "Run as Administrator" to gain permission instead of granting permission to a new user.

Recommended tools to resolve SQL Server 5123 error

If you are using MS SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or Transaction SQL Server (T-SQL) to configure and manage the SQL Server, you can use these two tools to resolve the 5123 error. 

Also, you can turn to a third party MS SQL Recovery tool for help.

Use SSMS to fix SQL 5123 error

• Step 1: Log in to SSMS: use valid domain credentials and Windows Authentication to log in.
• Step 2: Click on "Object Explorer", select "Database".
• Step 3: Right-click on the database that you are trying to attach, and select "Attach".
• Step 4: Click "Add" when a new attach database dialog box appears.
• Step 5: Select the database, confirm the MDF and LDF files are running alright. And click "OK" to finish.

Then, you can view all attached database files in MS SQL Server again.

If the program reminds you that the MDF file is corrupted, relax, follow the link here and apply EaseUS MS SQL recovery tool to repair corrupted MDF file immediately.

Use T-SQL to resolve MS SQL 5123 error

Transaction SQL Server with its sp_attach_db stored procedure can help you easily attach all desired databases in SQL. 

Here are the detail process of attaching SQL Server databse:

• sp_attach_db
• [@dbname=] 'dbname'
• ,[@filename1=] 'filename_n' [ ,…16 ]
• [@dbname=] – Refers to the name of the database to be attached to the server.
• [@filename1=] – ‘filename_n’ Is the physical name, including path, of a database file

Use SQL Server recovery tool to solve MS SQL error 5123

If the above-provided methods don’t work efficiently to resolve the 5123 attach database error in SQL, you can go for a reliable SQL Server recovery tool for help. It helps you to repair corrupted MFD and NDF file in SQL Server and some other complex database corruption issues. This software enables any user to operate SQL Server repair with its clear and self-explanatory interface.

Note: Mostly, EaseUS SQL Server Recovery can always work to fix this issue. But if it fails in a rare case, you can turn to Microsoft customer support team for help.

Step 1. Run EaseUS MS SQL Recovery.

Step 2. Select the MDF/NDF file: Click "Browse" or "Search” to navigate the location of your MDF or NDF file > Click "Repair".

Step 3. Select the database objects you want to recover: When the process has completed, select the database objects you want to recover and click "Export".

Step 4. Export the database to the database or export the selected items as SQL scripts. If you choose "Export to database", you will need to enter the required information and select the destination database, either a new one or an existing one.

Hence, we would like to recommend you always to keep this software handy. In addition to solving this error, EaseUS SQL Server Recovery can be used to rectify other SQL database problems too:

• Resolve SQL Database corruption with 823/824/825 error
• Recover deleted SQL records
• Repair MDF/NDF file
• Recover ROW and PAGE compressed data
• Free to preview the repaired database before activation
• Save the repaired file in MS SQL (MDF), HTML, XLS & CSV formats
• Support transferring the license to another system (one key for three systems)