SQL SERVER – Fix : Error : Msg 3117, Level 16, State 4 The log or differential backup

SQL SERVER – Fix : Error : Msg 3117, Level 16, State 4 The log or differential backup cannot be restored because no files are ready to rollforward



Following error occurs when tried to restored the differential backup.


Fix : Error : Msg 3117, Level 16, State 4 The log or differential backup cannot be restored because no files are ready to rollforward

Fix/WorkAround/Solution:

This error happens when Full back up is not restored before attempting to restore differential backup or full backup is restored with WITH RECOVERY option. Make sure database is not in operational conditional when differential backup is attempted to be restored.
Example of restoring differential backup successfully after restoring full backup.


RESTORE DATABASE AdventureWorks
FROM DISK = 'C:\AdventureWorksFull.bak'
WITH NORECOVERY;
RESTORE DATABASE AdventureWorks
FROM DISK = 'C:\AdventureWorksDiff.bak'
WITH RECOVERY;






Reference : Pinal Dave