Tình hình là mình mới bắt đầu học sử dụng access nên còn nhiều thứ không biết. Mình có tạo 1 loạt bảng, sau đó mình liên kết các bảng lại với nhau, nhưng khi mình tích vào 3 cái dòng trong mục edit relationship thì nó báo "The database engine could not lock table 'ten table' because it is already in use by another person or process". Mình ko biết làm thế nào để link đc nữa. Pro nào biết thì chỉ giùm mình nhé. Thanks all[/size][/font]
Also, this blog mentions the professional Access Database Repair Software to quickly troubleshoot this error if it has occurred due to database corruption.
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Download By clicking the button above and installing Stellar Repair for Access [14.8 MB], I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the End User License Agreement and Privacy Policy of this site.
What Is Error Code 3211?
The error 3211: the database engine could not lock table because it is already in use by another person or process typically arises when you’re attempting to execute an operation on an Access DB table, but the table is locked by another user.
Sometimes, it also occurs when multiple users access the same database table simultaneously. However, this error message triggers due to the following causes:
- Missing database table’s primary key.
- Improper relationships in the Access database.
- No permission or locked the table.
- When a database is opened in the exclusive mode.
- Corruption in table records.
Now, let’s proceed to the solutions section to get rid of the error code 3211.
How to Fix MS Access Run-Time Error 3211: The Database Engine Could Not Lock Table?
Follow the below step-wise instructions to fix it:
Way 1- Change Access Database Permissions
The very first crucial step you need to take is to check for the database permission. Under the testing properties, if the ‘Full control’ option is disabled, then you will have to change the database permissions there.
Follow the below steps to do so:
- Press the Win + E keys together to open the Windows Explorer.
- Look for the database file >> right-click on it.
- Click on Properties >> Security tab.
- In that popup window, you have to check if the Full control option is enabled or not. In case, if it’s disabled, then tap on Edit button to change permissions.
- Under Permissions window, choose Full Control >> click OK.
Way 2- Don’t Open Access Database In Exclusive Mode
Another reason that imparts to this “the database engine could not lock table because it is already in use by another person or process. [Error 3211]” is that the database is opened in the exclusive mode. So the chances are high that some users have opened the database in Exclusive mode for making modifications like module editing.
Therefore, take a complete exit from your opened access database by closing it. After that try to open it normally without selecting the option of Exclusive mode.
HELPFUL ARTICLE: Fixes To Resolve Access Error “You Don’t Have Exclusive Access To The Database At This Time”…..!
Way 3- Delete Access LDB Files
Whenever any new file is created in the Access database one lock file [.ldb] also gets created. This file automatically gets deleted when the Access database application is closed.
Sometimes they won’t get deleted automatically and due to this results in the database engine could not lock table because it is already in use error. In such situations, manually deleting the lock [LDB] file could assist in dealing with the error. Here are the steps to do this:
- Ensure to close Access database from everywhere.
- Find the database folder where you have stored your database.
- Look for DB file with .ldb extension [MDB database].
- Make right-click on that file & select Delete >> Click OK.
After completion of these steps, check if the error is solved or not.
Way 4- Verify the Primary Key in Database Table
As already mentioned in the causes section, the missing or improper primary key in the table can also lead to this error message. To solve this, you can verify & set a primary key correctly by following the below steps:
- Open MS Access database.
- Next, go to a Navigation pane >> right-tap on an affected table >> click on the Design View.
- After this, select the field that you need to use as a primary key.
- Now, go to a Design tab >> click on a Primary key.
- Now, the key stipulates the field as a primary key.
Also Read: Fix Access Database Engine Does Not Recognize Error [3344]
Way 5- Fix Error 3211 ‘The Database Engine Could Not Lock Table” by Removing Missing References
Using the TableDef.lockEdits or Recordset2.LockEdits property in the missing references can also result in this error. To solve this error, simply check & remove the missing references. Follow these instructions:
- Launch affected database.
- Then, navigate to the Database Tools >> click the Visual Basic.
- Under Visual Basic Editor, click on Tools>> References.
- Under References window that appears, check for an object library or enter library: MISSING:.
- When found, deselect a checkbox that seems next to it.
- Now, click on OK.
Way 6- Use Access Compact & Repair
If you’re suspicious that you are getting run-time error ‘3211’ the database engine could not lock table due to Access database corruption, you can run the inbuilt Access utility– Compact and Repair. This tool can eventually help you to repair the database for free.
Here’s how you can run this tool:
- Open an affected MS Access database.
- Then, click on File menu >> Info tab.
- After this, choose Compact & Repair Database.
Note: This utility can only fix the minor corruption in the Access database. If you want to repair a severely corrupted database, try the advanced software mentioned below.
Way 7- Recommended Option To Repair Corrupt Access Database File
It is highly recommended to take the help of a third-party MS Access Database Repair Tool. This software will help you to fix any type of corruption issues and errors encountered in your Access database. It comes with an advanced scanning algorithm that is very much effective in repairing and recovering the complete database files and re-establishes all database components.
* By clicking the Download button above and installing Stellar Repair for Access [14.8 MB], I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the End User License Agreement and Privacy Policy of this site.
This tool is capable enough to repair corrupt .mdb and .accdb file format of the Access database. It comes with a self-descriptive user interface and therefore non-technical users can also easily operate this tool and easily retrieve all the Access database objects such as tables, forms, reports, queries, restraints, macros, database relationships, and other data.
Steps to Use Access Database Repair Freeware Tool
access-repair-main-screen
access-repairing-completed
FAQ [Frequently Asked Question]:
Why You Need To Lock Table In Access?
Locking the table in the access web app helps you to prevent data from being accessed by any other user.
Table locking mainly seems helpful when you wish to include your sample data within the web app that you want to give another app user.
So if you are planning to share Access web apps in the SharePoint store or in the app catalog then locking the Access database table is the best option.
After the table locking, you have the option to upgrade the web app in the future without facing any data overwriting issues.
So by applying this locking feature you can also prevent data that are saved in the instances of the web app.
Note:
The table locking feature is only present for Access web apps that are present on the SharePoint Online sites or Microsoft 365.
To check your lock option, you have to Access 2013 with Office 2013 Service Pack 1 [SP1] or a higher version installed on your PC.
Can You Lock Tables In Access Web App?
Yes, you can lock the table in the access web app as this will help you to keep the data from being edited and deleted by anyone else.
- At first, open the web app in Access and then choose the table which you need to lock. Choose your table from the Table Selector section present on the left pane.
- Hit the Settings/Actions> Lock.
- Hit the Lock sign that appears next to the table name.
Tip:
For table unlocking, the same steps are to be followed only you have to tap the Unlock option.
How Do I Restrict Editing In Access?
To prevent users from doing any changes by following these steps
- Open your form in the design view.
- Make a right-click on the Name field.
- Within the Data tab, choose the locked property to yes option.
By choosing the yes option for this Locked property you need to prevent users from doing any changes in the field. But still, the user has the option to get into the field’s tab and then try to copy it.
Wrap Up:
Follow all the mentioned guidelines strictly to fix run-time error ‘3211’ the database engine could not lock table.
But if the given manual solution fails to work then don’t hesitate to try the software solution. Chances are very high that your Access database somehow got corrupted and thus it denies performing any task over it.
Even if you’re dealing with any other error or issue in your Access database, ask it on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
This software repairs & restores all ACCDB/MDB objects including tables, reports, queries, records, forms, and indexes along with modules, macros, and other stuffs effectively.
- Download Stellar Repair for Access rated Great on Cnet [download starts on this page].
- Click Browse and Search option to locate corrupt Access database.
- Click Repair button to repair & preview the database objects.
Pearson Willey is a website content writer and long-form content planner. Besides this, he is also an avid reader. Thus he knows very well how to write an engaging content for readers. Writing is like a growing edge for him. He loves exploring his knowledge on MS Access & sharing tech blogs.