How To Unlock Or Remove Access Database LDB/LACCDB File

Summary:

This blog emphasizes on detailed information regarding Access database .ldb and .laccdb file. Moreover, it covers ways to unlock ldb file, how to delete ldb/laccdb file of MS Access.

Being an Access database user, you are probably familiar with Microsoft Access lock files (.ldb or .laccdb). You must have noticed that when you open up any Access database it automatically creates another file with the same name but with locking file extensions like LACCDB or LDB. But the problem with this Microsoft Access Lock File is that the ldb or laccdb file doesn’t delete by itself. Thus, as a result of which your database continues to display as locked.

Practical Scenario:

I’ve just added Access Security to an existing database and have signed-on and off as various users during the day. 

However, the LDB file still thinks I have the database open for exclusive use even though I’m not currently using it.  Consequently, I can’t delete or replace the database, or open it for exclusive use.

How can I clear or delete the LDB file?

source:

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/10234953/Access-Security-How-to-reset-clear-delete-an-LDB-file.html

Access Record-Locking File

Every Access database version uses a lock file that prevents users from making a modification on the same record simultaneously. This Access lock file doesn’t contain any data and can be deleted by itself when the database is getting closed. In some cases, this file doesn’t delete itself. When you try to attempt such delete procedure you may encounter issues like “cannot delete Access record locking file”. and further your database continues to appears locked.

In the newer Access database version, the default Access file extension is accdb. it’s lock file shares the same name and location the same as the main access database file but having extension LACCDB.  But the older Access database version like 2002/2003, these extensions are MDB and LDB.

It’s very rare that this Access database locking file doesn’t get deleted by itself and so as you need to remove it manually.  Suppose, you know the name of that database but don’t know where it gets saved then you have the two options:

• Perform search operation to find all files with the LACCDB extension.
• Contact your network administrators and allow all the necessary information.

What’s The Purpose Of This Lock File?

MS Access lock file helps to keep track of one or more users who all are currently working on the same Access database. Therefore, it plays a great role in keeping a detailed log of multiple users with machine and user names. At first, it’s a safe and harmless file that executes along with the opened Access database file in the same location.

Well, you can see this file in a plain text editor using some editors that might return odd characters. So, make use of the MS Word instead of the notepad and you will see machine and user name listed for members that are currently using the Access database file.

When the last users using the Access database closes down the shared Access database, it will automatically remove Access database lock file.  but some time it won’t delete itself and you need to delete it manually. So, that you can use your Access database without any restriction.

Why You Can’t Delete Access Record Locking File?

Whenever the last user of your Access database closes the database, the respective ldb/accdb file is gets deleted. But the problem arises when a user doesn’t have such rights to delete such a lock file or when the Access database is getting corrupted somehow. In that case, you cannot delete Access record locking file.

As the Access ldb/accdb file contains information about the user using who uses the database at the time it was marked as corrupted.  That’s the reason why it won’t get deleted even when you attempt to do so.

What Issue Encountered Due To This Ldb/Laccdb File?

MS Access jet database engine mainly uses this lock file information to obstruct users from writing data to pages or records which other users have locked. And also, for knowing which pages and records are been locked. If Jet database engine fetches a lock conflict with any other user then it reads .ldb file to get the system and security name of users who are having such file/record locked.

Meanwhile this lock conflict situation, users encounter “Write conflict“ pop-up message which allows you for saving the records, copy it to the Clipboard, or drop the modification that you have done.

In some cases, users receive the following error message:

Couldn’t lock table <table name>; currently in use by user <security name> on computer <computer name>.

If the .ldb file is get corrupted, then you may see scrambled text instead of user names in the above-shown lock conflict error message.

Note:

By using the visual basic application in Access 2002 or later, you can easily see the list of users that are logged in into any specific database.

What Are The Reasons Behind Inaccessibility Of  .Ldb File?

The inability to use and unlock ldb/laccdb file doesn’t mean always means that you have improper or inappropriate software installation. Other reasons behind the inaccessibility of your MS Access Record-Locking Information Format file are as follows. So, just check it out.

• LDB file corruption that is being opened.
• Inappropriate links to the LDB file present in registry entries.
• From the Windows registry Unintentional deletion of LDB description.
• Improper installation of applications that support the LDB file format.
• Maybe the LDB file which you are trying to open is get infected with some undesirable malware.
• Your PC won’t have enough hardware equipment to support with the right opening of the MS Access LDB file.
• Drivers used by your PC to unlock LDB file are now outdated.

If you are so sure that all the above-mentioned reasons don’t persist in your case, then LDB should work fine with your program without rendering any issue. in that case, go down to our next section.

How To Unlock Access ldb/laccdb File?

To know how to perform Access database lock file unlocking task or how to open the .ldb file try out the following option:

Method 1:

Well, the most common reason behind unable to open LDB File is the lack of appropriate applications installed in your PC. In such a case, you need to find, download and install applications that perfectly support the LDB file format.

Method 2:

If you can’t delete the Access “lock file”. and your PC frequently showing that there are some users connected to the database but in reality, there is no such user connected right now.

Then, in that case, try opening the .ldb file using notepad. This will show both the thing: one who all is currently using the database and second workstations which were in the Access database.

When any user exits or closes their workstation their name and Access login id, admin; are left in a slot present in the LDB file.  Well, this slot gets overwritten with the new information when next time someone unlock Access Database file.

How To Perform Access Database Lock File Removal Task?

Check Out The Folder Privileges Option:

If you are willing to share Access database, the mdb or accdb file must need to be located in the folder where the user has the privilege of creating, read, write, and delete. If you want to assign different file privileges like read-only or read-write etc. Then also it’s compulsory to have created, read, write and delete permissions to the folder having mdb/accdb file.

NOTE:

If any user opens their Access database in exclusive mode then record locking is not applied. Thus, Microsoft Access doesn’t attempt to create or open .ldb file.  If always the Access database is opened for Exclusive use then the user needs to have only read/write privilege to that folder.

How To Fix Access Database File Corruption Issue?

If even after trying the above solution for Access Database Lock File Removal if unfortunately, you are unable to use your Access database. Then the chances are high that your database is get corrupted or damaged.

Don’t worry you can fix this issue by using MS Access Repair & Recovery tool. It is a professional software for fixing your corrupt, damaged, or inaccessible Access database. It can easily restore your corrupt tables, indexes, queries, and relations. You can also recover the password-protected forms or modules and many more.

* By clicking the Download button above and installing Stellar Repair for Access (14.8 MB), I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the End User License Agreement and Privacy Policy of this site.

Conclusion:

After reading the complete post, hopefully, you have got all answer of your queries regarding Access database ldb/laccdb file. So, try all the aforementioned fixes to open ldb file or to remove Access database Lock File.  if in case you encounter any similar Access database lock issue or any other Access database problems then you can ask in our comment section.

Still having issues? Fix them with this Access repair tool:

This software repairs & restores all ACCDB/MDB objects including tables, reports, queries, records, forms, and indexes along with modules, macros, and other stuffs effectively.

1. Download Stellar Repair for Access rated Great on Cnet (download starts on this page).
2. Click Browse and Search option to locate corrupt Access database.
3. Click Repair button to repair & preview the database objects.

Pearson Willey

Pearson Willey is a website content writer and long-form content planner. Besides this, he is also an avid reader. Thus he knows very well how to write an engaging content for readers. Writing is like a growing edge for him. He loves exploring his knowledge on MS Access & sharing tech blogs.