Failed Exchange Server 2016 is a common issue among Exchange users. Exchange Server is the backbone for email communication. Any type of issue within the server can cause a sudden loss of email communication. Facing errors and delays in sending/receiving emails are common symptoms pointing towards an Exchange Server failure.
Reasons for a failed Exchange Server involve hardware malfunction, improper server handling, database corruption, human errors, etc. To fix Exchange Server crashes, we will cover every available method. From a basic server restart to running the complete Exchange Server restore commands, we will do it all. Besides the manual methods, you can also try a professional third-party Exchange Server recovery tool.
Common Troubleshoots to Restore Failed Exchange Server 2016
Before implementing the complex Exchange Server recovery method, quickly try the following troubleshoots:
- Restart the Exchange Server or the system.
- Check for loose hard drive connection.
- Verify if the Exchange Services are running.
- Look for database mount status.
- Disable anti-virus and reconnect to the Server.
- Roll back any recent update or software installation.
Method To Recover Failed Exchange Server 2016
To recover Exchange Server from failed state, we will create a new instance of the server. Then, reinstall the Exchange Server in the new instance. We will rebuild Exchange Server in two parts:
Part 1: Gather Failed/Lost Exchange Server Information & Setup Files
Step 1.: Find the version of the lost Exchange Server and the Windows Server.
Step 2. Note down the Exchange Sever installation path. If you don’t know the Server path, follow these steps:
- Open ADSIEDIT.MSC
- Expand CN = ExServerName > CN=Servers > CN=First Administrative Group > CN=Administrative Groups > CN=ExOrg Name > CN=Microsoft Exchange > CN=Services > CN=Configuration > DC=DomainName > CN=Com
- Then, right-click the Exchange Server object and select Properties.
- Look for msExchInstallPath property to find the Exchange installation path.
Step 3.Download the Exchange Server installation files for the same Cumulative Update (CU) version that is currently installed on the failed Server. In case the required setup file is not available, use the latest CU version to restore Exchange Server. However, the Windows Server version must be the same, or the recovery may fail.
Part 2: Install Exchange Server in the New Server Instance
Step 1. Install the same version of Windows Server and the Exchange Server on the newly created server instance.
Step 2.: Name the new Server (same as the failed Server).
Step 3. Join the new server to the same domain as the lost Exchange Server.
Step 4. Configure the Exchange Server 2016 and Windows Server prerequisites.
Step 5. Rename the disk drive letters same as the failed Server system drive letter. Same drive letters are essential to prevent Exchange database mount issue.
Step 6. Assign the following permissions to the new Server:
- Domains Admins security group membership.
- Exchange Organization Management role group membership.
Step 7.Copy the Exchange setup files on the target Windows Server drive.
Step 8.Open command prompt and run the following command:
:\Setup.exe /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms_DiagnosticDataON /Mode:RecoverServer
Note: Setup_File_Path in the above command denotes the path or directory in the disk drive that contains the Exchange setup files.
Fix Errors Post Exchange Server Recovery
After the Exchange recovery, you can get two types of errors:
Certificate Error: The /Mode:RecoverServer switch assigns SSL/TLS certificates to all Exchange Services automatically. However, if the failed Exchange Server contains any third-party certificates, you must install the certificates manually. Import any custom settings or certificates present in the failed/lost Exchange Server to fix the certificate issue.
Database Mount Error: If the database did not mount by itself after installation of the Server, you will get an error like “database cannot be mounted”. To fix the issue you must mount the Exchange database manually. However, if the database file disappears due to Server failure, then you must restore server from a backup file.
Restore Exchange Server 2016 Mailboxes
You can easily restore the Exchange Server from a database backup file. Move the failed Exchange Server backup file to the new server and restore Exchange mailbox. But it will only restore the emails present in the backup file. Any email sent/received after the backup file was created will be lost permanently.
To prevent permanent data loss, you should use an advanced Exchange Server recovery tool. The tool deeply scans the Exchange database file and can safely recover failed Exchange database. Due to a simple user interface, anyone can use the tool with or without Exchange expertise.
Kernel for Exchange Server tool specializes in Exchange database recovery and can repair Exchange corruption. Use the tool to recover permanently deleted Exchange mailboxes, fix http 400 bad request errors, and other Exchange issues.
With this tool, you can skip the complex process of creating a new Server and assigning permissions. Bypass renaming the Server & disk drives. No need to download & install Exchange setup files, and other time-consuming steps. Repair Exchange Server in three simple steps. Open the tool, add the Exchange Server, and recover failed Exchange database mailboxes.
Tips To Avoid Failed Exchange Server
The solution given in this blog will help you with quick Exchange database recovery and convert EDB to PST for better accessibility. However, to make sure your server does not fail again in the future, follow these points:
- Update Windows Server and Exchange Server to the latest version.
- Use robust hardware to avoid CPU overload and hard disk failure.
- Regular Server maintenance and database disk checkup.
- Use RAID and implement steps to avoid power outage.
- Create regular and consistent backups. Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule.
- User powerful anti-malware programs and upgrade system firewall.
- Enable multi factor authentication to avoid unauthorized access.
Conclusion
The best method to recover failed Exchange Server is given above. Follow the steps mentioned to safely restore Exchange 2016. After recovery, verify that all the Exchange services are running properly. Restore Exchange mailboxes with the database backup file. However, if database backup or log files are missing, use the automated Exchange recovery tool to repair Exchange.
