MS Access/accdb "Cannot open database" error (C#)

Question

I'm using an MS Access database to store data for a desktop application. This week I was asked to give access to the application to some additional users, but whenever they launch the application they are getting the error message:

Cannot open database ''. It may not be a database that your application recognizes, or the file may be corrupt.

I have gone through 5 pages of Google search results trying to find a solution and come up with nothing. Every answer I can find to this problem is either the 2GB limit (which my db is nowhere near) or corruption (which is not the case because only two new users are receiving this error and everyone else is fine).

This is my connection string:

"Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=[Path];Jet OLEDB:Database Password=[Password];"

I'm pretty sure this is due to the users' machines missing something, but I cannot figure out what or where they can get it from. Please advise.

Where is your connection string stored? In a config file? If in a file, are you sure they have access to it? — Brian
– Brian, Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 22:24
@Brian It's not stored in a config file. Having access to the connection string is not an issue. — Jdinklage Morgoone
– Jdinklage Morgoone, Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 22:27
Is your db located on a network share? Did you check the read/write permissions for those new users? — Steve
– Steve, Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 22:29
You have a database password, which means it is encrypted. If that was done in Access 2010 or later without "legacy encryption", and the problem users all have Access 2007, that would account for the error. — HansUp
– HansUp, Commented Dec 23, 2013 at 22:30

crthompson · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-23 22:36:38Z

4

Your connection string indicates that you are using the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 driver.

This must be installed on the machine, as it doesn't come with windows.

You can find the driver in the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable

answered Dec 23, 2013 at 22:36

crthompson

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7 Comments

Jdinklage Morgoone Over a year ago

I am having a user try this now.

HansUp Over a year ago

If that provider was not installed the error message should be "provider not found".

crthompson Over a year ago

@HansUp You are probably right, but given that the database is coming back empty string, that seemed to indicate some sort of machine problem. If its successful on one machine and not another, and its not permissions, perhaps its a corrupt install of the driver.

crthompson Over a year ago

@JdinklageMorgoone Do make sure they are in fact running the same version of the software as the functioning machine, I would hate for it to be something dumb.

Jdinklage Morgoone Over a year ago

@paqogomez The same version of which software - my application?

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Swati · Accepted Answer · 2019-05-08 14:28:09Z

1

If the error is Cannot open database . It may not be a database that your application recognizes, or the file may be corrupt, make sure that the Database file (ACCDB/MDB) is not more than 2GB because that's the limit for any Access Database File.

Reference Here

edited May 8, 2019 at 14:28

Swati

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answered May 8, 2019 at 13:22

Srinath Jackie

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