sql-serverdatabase-backupsdatabase-restore

Restoring back up file is failed (on device xx.bak is incorrectely formed and cannot be read

I am using a SQL server 2016 and trying to restore my bakup file with new database. But Its showing the below message "on device xx.bak is incorrectely formed and cannot be read". This is the Restore statement that I am using : RESTORE DATABASE TESTDB FROM DISK = N'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL13.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Backup\DEMO_clone.bak' WITH FILE = 38, NOUNLOAD, REPLACE, STATS = 5`

Solution

  • The backup path suggests you are trying to restore SQL Server 2016 database backup. You cannot restore a backup made from a later SQL Server version to an earlier version.