SQL Server Transaction Log is Full – Get Your Query Resolved Easily

Written By Nimisha Ramesh

Approved By Mack John

Published On December 19th, 2017

Reading Time 4 Minutes Reading

Introduction to SQL Server: An essential server for enterprise users, have a log file whose main functionality is to record all the transactions and modifications done in the database of the server. When SQL Server Transaction Log is Full, it starts creating a hassle and starts showing an error message i.e. SQL Server Error 9002. The log file always starts getting packed when the database is in the online mode or in the recovery mode. If the case arise when the log file is fully packed, then the database is online, and will maintain the status that the database in online mode. By online status, we mean that the users can only have the permission to read the database but cannot update the same.

In case, the transaction log files are packed up during the recovery process, the engine of the database is marked as the database resource pending. One can access and update the database if in case the user needs to make the log space available to truncate SQL Server Log File data. In this write up, we will be discussing the different issues behind SQL Server transaction log full.

Importance of SQL Server Transaction Log File

SQL Server log file is a vital component present in the database, reason being that it is responsible for getting database back in case if any failure occurs in the database within the system. Moreover, the database can be brought back in the consistent state using the transaction log file. Therefore, it is becomes important for users of the SQL server to safeguard their transaction log file i.e., free from any damage.

Truncate SQL Server Log File of 2014, 2012 and the below versions

The Log file truncation helps in freeing up the space of a log file. If the space is not free then, truncating process makes the space available, which can be used time and again by the log of the transactional files. In general, log truncation is compulsory to maintain the log files from filling and even freeing them. It stops the supply of all the virtual files, which are not active in the logical transaction log of the SQL Server database and makes the space available in case of physical transaction log. If a user cuts off inactive files with help of the truncation, it will fill all the space present in the disk at an instance that is being allocated for the physical transaction log files.

In case of avoiding the problems, truncation process occurs mechanically after the following two events:

Simple recovery model
Full recovery model

Dealing with Transaction Log File Size to Troubleshoot 9002 Error

It is now possible to manage the size of transaction log files. This has become easy for end users to shrink the log files physically or enlarge the physical transaction log file present in the SQL Server database.

To manage space of the transaction log file, users must have to keep a watch on the space that is currently in use. A user can make use of the DBCC SQLPERF command to figure out the space utilized or can also use the SQL server log file viewer to analyze all the transactional activities.
Once the space utilized is previewed, a user can even shrink the size of transaction log files. If the process of shrinking is done then, it will help in the migration of the data from the file specified to other files of the same file group. In this case, a user can execute the command of DBCC SHRINKFILE.

Troubleshooting the SQL Server Error 9002

There is a workaround, which will help a person in figuring out the error and then he/she can resolve the error easily in three ways:

Create the backup of transaction log file on any other space present for storage purpose and then, allow the Database Engine to perform truncation of log files. It will help in freeing up the space for new entries.
If there is no enough storage available for the log files, a user can even move the transaction log file to the hard drive, which has the sufficient space present.
One can even increase the transaction log file size up to 2 TB. It can be done by incrementing a single growth and enabling the auto growth using statement of ALERT DATABASE.

Observational Verdict

After getting the entire scenario of SQL Server transaction log is full, a user can easily fix the problem that occurs in case the log file is full. In addition to it, a user can even fix the error 9002 present in the SQL server by the methods mentioned above.