Resolving “Missing or invalid key in index...” Error Message

In SQL Server database, the data is primarily organized in two kinds of non-system pages – data pages (consist of data rows) and Index pages (consist of index rows). For every data row in a data page, there is always a pre-defined matching index row in Index page. However, if the index row is missing or corrupt, then you receive an error message that results into unmountability of your database. Records stored in an unmountable database are inaccessible. To access the records and continue with your work, you will need to use the data from an updated database backup. But if in case, the database backup has been corrupted or damaged, then you will need to use powerful third-party SQL Database Recovery application that can repair the database.

Consider a practical situation, where the below error message appears when you attempt to access the records stored in SQL database table:

“Table error: Table 'OBJNAME' (ID O_ID). Missing or invalid key in index 'INDEXNAME' (ID I_ID) for the row”

The above error message makes the records stored in your table inaccessible. Furthermore, the above error message pops up every time you attempt to access the table records.

Cause:

The fundamental cause for the occurrence of the above error message is missing of Index row.

Note: The above error message can be caused due to logical or physical corruption in SQL database table.

Resolution:

There are different ways to resolve corruption caused due to different reasons. These ways are discussed underneath:
Resolve the physical damage issues by swapping the damaged system component.
Resolve the logical damage problems by running DBCC CHECKDB command, with appropriate repair clause.

While the first resolution guarantees complete resolution from all physical damage scenarios, the second fails to repair database table in all logical corruption situations. For complete repair of tables after all logical corruption cases, you will need to opt for efficient SQL Recovery software. Such SQL Repair tools use powerful scanning methods to repair and restore the repaired table on default or user-specified location.