Understanding ORA-01113

The ORA-01113 error indicates that a specific datafile requires media recovery before the database can be opened or the file can be brought online. This error is commonly encountered after database crashes, hardware failures, or backup restoration scenarios.

ORA-01113: file %s needs media recovery

ORA-01110: data file %s: '%s'

Common Scenarios

1. Instance Crash During Checkpoint

If the database instance crashed while writing a checkpoint, some datafiles may be in an inconsistent state requiring recovery.

2. Restored Datafile from Backup

After restoring a datafile from a backup, it must be recovered using archive logs to bring it to a consistent state with the rest of the database.

3. Datafile Taken Offline

A datafile that was taken offline for maintenance needs recovery before being brought back online.

4. Hardware/Storage Issues

Temporary storage problems that caused write failures can leave datafiles requiring recovery.

Resolution Methods

Method 1: Standard Media Recovery

For a single datafile requiring recovery:

-- Database in mount state
SQL> STARTUP MOUNT;

-- Recover the specific datafile
SQL> RECOVER DATAFILE '/u01/oradata/ORCL/users01.dbf';

-- Or recover by file number
SQL> RECOVER DATAFILE 4;

-- Open the database
SQL> ALTER DATABASE OPEN;

Method 2: Using RMAN

RMAN> STARTUP MOUNT;

RMAN> RECOVER DATAFILE 4;
-- RMAN automatically locates and applies required archive logs

RMAN> ALTER DATABASE OPEN;

Method 3: Datafile Online Recovery

If the database is open but a datafile is offline:

SQL> RECOVER DATAFILE '/path/to/file.dbf';
SQL> ALTER DATABASE DATAFILE '/path/to/file.dbf' ONLINE;

Method 4: Database Recovery

If multiple files need recovery:

SQL> STARTUP MOUNT;
SQL> RECOVER DATABASE;
SQL> ALTER DATABASE OPEN;

When Archive Logs Are Missing

If required archive logs are unavailable, you have limited options:

  • Restore from older backup: Find a backup set with all required archive logs
  • Point-in-time recovery: Recover to a point where archive logs are available
  • Offline with data loss: Take the datafile offline and accept data loss
  • Use DBRECOVER: Extract data directly from the datafile

Using DBRECOVER When Recovery Fails

DBRECOVER> open datafile '/u01/oradata/ORCL/users01.dbf'
[INFO] Datafile requires recovery
[INFO] Scanning blocks for recoverable data...
[INFO] Found 156 tables

DBRECOVER> recover schema HR
[INFO] Extracting tables from HR schema
✓ EMPLOYEES: 1,247 rows
✓ DEPARTMENTS: 27 rows
✓ JOB_HISTORY: 892 rows
[SUCCESS] Schema HR recovered

Prevention Best Practices

  1. Enable Archivelog Mode: Essential for media recovery capability
  2. Regular Backups: Implement RMAN backup schedules
  3. Archive Log Backups: Back up archive logs frequently
  4. Fast Recovery Area: Configure FRA with adequate space
  5. Block Change Tracking: Enable for faster incremental backups

Need Assistance?

For complex ORA-01113 recovery scenarios, contact our experts at [email protected]