Error: SQL Server: Unable to Shrink Transaction Log, "Could not locate file for database..."

Description

You attempt to shrink a transaction log file associated with a SQL Server database, but you receive in error:

"Could not locate file 'Transaction Log Name' for database
'Database Name' in sys.database_files. The file either does not exist, or was dropped."



Solution


1)  Run SP_HelpFile to get the correct name of the transaction log file.

USE Database Name
EXEC sp_helpfile

(TechNet, 2013)

This will return the following information about the database files, including the associated transation log(s):  Name, FileId, FileName, FileGroup, Size, MaxSize, Growth, Usage



2)  Run the Transact-SQL statement again, using the correct Transaction Log Name.  You can find this in the Name column of the SP_HelpFile query results set.

USE [Database Name]
 GO
ALTER DATABASE Database Name SET RECOVERY SIMPLE WITH NO_WAIT
DBCC SHRINKFILE(Transaction Log Name, 1)
ALTER DATABASE Database Name SET RECOVERY FULL WITH NO_WAIT
 GO

(TechNet, 2013)



3)  Verify that there are configured, scheduled, and enabled SQL Server Backup jobs in place for:

a) Full Database Backup
b) Transaction Log Backup *Important for Full Recovery Model*



Reference

TechNet (2013).  Backup Under the Full Recovery Model.  Retrieved August 11, 2013 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190217%28v=sql.105%29.aspx

TechNet (2013).  DBCC SHRINKFILE (Transact-SQL).  Retrieved August 11, 2013 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189493.aspx

TechNet (2013).  Recovery Models and Transaction Log Management.  Retrieved August 11, 2013 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms366344%28v=sql.105%29.aspx

TechNet (2013).  sp_helpfile.  Retrieved August 11, 2013 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa933456%28v=sql.80%29.aspx