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How to Fix Corrupted Mailboxes in Exchange 2019/2016/2013

Exchange Server is one of the most widely used enterprise-level email and messaging solutions. It’s highly efficient and reliable, but sometimes, even the most robust systems can encounter problems. One such issue is the corruption of Exchange mailboxes. When this happens, it can lead to loss of critical data, and it’s essential to fix the issue as soon as possible. In this article, we’ll discuss how to fix corrupted mailboxes in Exchange 2019/2016/2013.

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first understand what causes mailbox corruption in Exchange.

Causes of Mailbox Corruption in Exchange:

There are several reasons why a mailbox can get corrupted in Exchange Server. Some of the most common causes include:

  1. Hardware failure: Faulty hardware, including hard disks, can cause mailbox corruption.
  2. Virus or malware attack: Malicious software can corrupt Exchange Server mailboxes and cause data loss.
  3. Database corruption: A corrupted database can lead to mailbox corruption.
  4. Incorrect shutdown: If Exchange Server is shut down incorrectly, it can lead to mailbox corruption.
  5. Software bugs: A software bug or glitch can cause mailbox corruption.
  6. Large mailboxes: Large mailboxes can sometimes become corrupted due to the sheer volume of data.

Now that we know what causes mailbox corruption, let’s explore the steps you can take to fix it.

Solution 1: Use the New-MailboxRepairRequest Cmdlet

One of the simplest ways to fix a corrupted mailbox in Exchange is to use the New-MailboxRepairRequest cmdlet. This cmdlet scans and repairs the mailbox, fixing any issues that it finds. Here are the steps to use the cmdlet:

  1. Open the Exchange Management Shell.
  2. Enter the following command: New-MailboxRepairRequest -Mailbox <MailboxName> -CorruptionType <CorruptionType>
  3. Replace <MailboxName> with the name of the mailbox you want to repair.
  4. Replace <CorruptionType> with the type of corruption you want to repair. The available options are:
  • SearchFolder
  • AggregateCounts
  • ProvisionedFolder
  • FolderView
  • ItemView
  • FolderPermissions
  • ProvisionedFolderPermissions
  • FolderRule
  • FolderACL
  • MissingItem
  • MailboxACL
  • All
  1. Press Enter to start the repair process.

Solution 2: Use the ESEUtil Tool

Another way to fix a corrupted Exchange mailbox is to use the ESEUtil tool. This tool is a part of the Exchange Server database utilities and can be used to repair a corrupted database or mailbox. Here are the steps to use the tool:

  1. Open the Exchange Management Shell.
  2. Navigate to the folder where the database file is located.
  3. Enter the following command: eseutil /p <DatabaseName>.edb
  4. Replace <DatabaseName> with the name of the database you want to repair.
  5. Press Enter to start the repair process.

Note: It’s important to make a backup of the database file before running the eseutil command.

Solution 3: Use the Exchange Mailbox Recovery Tool

If the above two solutions don’t work, you can use the Exchange Mailbox Recovery tool to fix corrupted Exchange mailboxes. This tool is designed to repair damaged Exchange databases and recover mailboxes, emails, and other data.

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