How to fix the Runtime Code 29029 You are trying to open a read-only database

Symptoms of Code 29029 - You are trying to open a read-only database

Runtime errors happen without warning. The error message can come up the screen anytime Microsoft Access is run. In fact, the error message or some other dialogue box can come up again and again if not addressed early on.

There may be instances of files deletion or new files appearing. Though this symptom is largely due to virus infection, it can be attributed as a symptom for runtime error, as virus infection is one of the causes for runtime error. User may also experience a sudden drop in internet connection speed, yet again, this is not always the case.

(For illustrative purposes only)

Causes of You are trying to open a read-only database - Code 29029

During software design, programmers code anticipating the occurrence of errors. However, there are no perfect designs, as errors can be expected even with the best program design. Glitches can happen during runtime if a certain error is not experienced and addressed during design and testing.

Runtime errors are generally caused by incompatible programs running at the same time. It may also occur because of memory problem, a bad graphics driver or virus infection. Whatever the case may be, the problem must be resolved immediately to avoid further problems. Here are ways to remedy the error.

Repair Methods

Runtime errors may be annoying and persistent, but it is not totally hopeless, repairs are available. Here are ways to do it.

If a repair method works for you, please click the upvote button to the left of the answer, this will let other users know which repair method is currently working the best.

Please note: Neither ErrorVault.com nor it's writers claim responsibility for the results of the actions taken from employing any of the repair methods listed on this page - you complete these steps at your own risk.

Method 1 - Close Conflicting Programs

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When you get a runtime error, keep in mind that it is happening due to programs that are conflicting with each other. The first thing you can do to resolve the problem is to stop these conflicting programs.

• Open Task Manager by clicking Ctrl-Alt-Del at the same time. This will let you see the list of programs currently running.
• Go to the Processes tab and stop the programs one by one by highlighting each program and clicking the End Process buttom.
• You will need to observe if the error message will reoccur each time you stop a process.
• Once you get to identify which program is causing the error, you may go ahead with the next troubleshooting step, reinstalling the application.

Method 2 - Update / Reinstall Conflicting Programs

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Using Control Panel

• For Windows 7, click the Start Button, then click Control panel, then Uninstall a program
• For Windows 8, click the Start Button, then scroll down and click More Settings, then click Control panel > Uninstall a program.
• For Windows 10, just type Control Panel on the search box and click the result, then click Uninstall a program
• Once inside Programs and Features, click the problem program and click Update or Uninstall.
• If you chose to update, then you will just need to follow the prompt to complete the process, however if you chose to Uninstall, you will follow the prompt to uninstall and then re-download or use the application's installation disk to reinstall the program.

Using Other Methods

• For Windows 7, you may find the list of all installed programs when you click Start and scroll your mouse over the list that appear on the tab. You may see on that list utility for uninstalling the program. You may go ahead and uninstall using utilities available in this tab.
• For Windows 10, you may click Start, then Settings, then choose Apps.
• Scroll down to see the list of Apps and features installed in your computer.
• Click the Program which is causing the runtime error, then you may choose to uninstall or click Advanced options to reset the application.

Method 3 - Update your Virus protection program or download and install the latest Windows Update

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Virus infection causing runtime error on your computer must immediately be prevented, quarantined or deleted. Make sure you update your virus program and run a thorough scan of the computer or, run Windows update so you can get the latest virus definition and fix.

Method 4 - Re-install Runtime Libraries

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You might be getting the error because of an update, like the MS Visual C++ package which might not be installed properly or completely. What you can do then is to uninstall the current package and install a fresh copy.

• Uninstall the package by going to Programs and Features, find and highlight the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package.
• Click Uninstall on top of the list, and when it is done, reboot your computer.
• Download the latest redistributable package from Microsoft then install it.

Method 5 - Run Disk Cleanup

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You might also be experiencing runtime error because of a very low free space on your computer.

• You should consider backing up your files and freeing up space on your hard drive
• You can also clear your cache and reboot your computer
• You can also run Disk Cleanup, open your explorer window and right click your main directory (this is usually C: )
• Click Properties and then click Disk Cleanup

Method 6 - Reinstall Your Graphics Driver

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If the error is related to a bad graphics driver, then you may do the following:

• Open your Device Manager, locate the graphics driver
• Right click the video card driver then click uninstall, then restart your computer

Method 7 - IE related Runtime Error

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If the error you are getting is related to the Internet Explorer, you may do the following:

1. Reset your browser.
• For Windows 7, you may click Start, go to Control Panel, then click Internet Options on the left side. Then you can click Advanced tab then click the Reset button.
• For Windows 8 and 10, you may click search and type Internet Options, then go to Advanced tab and click Reset.
2. Disable script debugging and error notifications.
• On the same Internet Options window, you may go to Advanced tab and look for Disable script debugging
• Put a check mark on the radio button
• At the same time, uncheck the "Display a Notification about every Script Error" item and then click Apply and OK, then reboot your computer.

If these quick fixes do not work, you can always backup files and run repair reinstall on your computer. However, you can do that later when the solutions listed here did not do the job.

Other languages:

Wie beheben Fehler 29029 (Sie versuchen, eine schreibgeschützte Datenbank zu öffnen) - Sie versuchen, eine schreibgeschützte Datenbank zu öffnen.@Wenn Sie zum ersten Mal eine Datenbank einer früheren Version öffnen, müssen Sie in der Lage sein, Änderungen in die Datenbank zu schreiben.* Das schreibgeschützte Attribut der Datenbankdatei kann gesetzt sein; lösche dieses Attribut.* Du hast vielleicht das Open R . gewählt
Come fissare Errore 29029 (Stai cercando di aprire un database di sola lettura) - Stai tentando di aprire un database di sola lettura.@La prima volta che apri un database di una versione precedente, devi essere in grado di scrivere modifiche nel database.* L'attributo di sola lettura del file del database potrebbe essere impostato; cancella questo attributo.* Potresti aver scelto Open R
Hoe maak je Fout 29029 (U probeert een alleen-lezen database te openen) - U probeert een alleen-lezen database te openen.@De eerste keer dat u een database met een eerdere versie opent, moet u wijzigingen in de database kunnen schrijven.* Het alleen-lezen kenmerk van het databasebestand kan zijn ingesteld; wis dit attribuut.* Mogelijk hebt u de Open R . gekozen
Comment réparer Erreur 29029 (Vous essayez d'ouvrir une base de données en lecture seule) - Vous essayez d'ouvrir une base de données en lecture seule.@La première fois que vous ouvrez une base de données de version antérieure, vous devez pouvoir écrire des modifications dans la base de données.* L'attribut en lecture seule du fichier de base de données peut être défini ; effacez cet attribut.* Vous avez peut-être choisi l'Open R
어떻게 고치는 지 오류 29029 (읽기 전용 데이터베이스를 열려고 합니다.) - 읽기 전용 데이터베이스를 열려고 합니다.@이전 버전 데이터베이스를 처음 열 때 데이터베이스에 변경 사항을 쓸 수 있어야 합니다.* 데이터베이스 파일의 읽기 전용 속성이 설정되었을 수 있습니다. 이 속성을 지웁니다.* Open R을 선택했을 수 있습니다.
Como corrigir o Erro 29029 (Você está tentando abrir um banco de dados somente leitura) - Você está tentando abrir um banco de dados somente leitura. @ Na primeira vez que abrir um banco de dados de versão anterior, você deve poder gravar alterações no banco de dados. * O atributo somente leitura do arquivo de banco de dados pode ser definido; limpe este atributo. * Você pode ter escolhido o Open R
Hur man åtgärdar Fel 29029 (Du försöker öppna en skrivskyddad databas) - Du försöker öppna en skrivskyddad databas.@Första gången du öppnar en tidigare databas måste du kunna skriva ändringar i databasen.* Databasfilens skrivskyddade attribut kan vara inställt; rensa detta attribut.* Du kan ha valt Open R
Как исправить Ошибка 29029 (Вы пытаетесь открыть базу данных только для чтения) - Вы пытаетесь открыть базу данных, доступную только для чтения. @ При первом открытии базы данных более ранней версии вы должны иметь возможность записывать изменения в базу данных. * Может быть установлен атрибут файла базы данных только для чтения; очистите этот атрибут. * Возможно, вы выбрали Open R
Jak naprawić Błąd 29029 (Próbujesz otworzyć bazę danych tylko do odczytu) - Próbujesz otworzyć bazę danych tylko do odczytu.@Przy pierwszym otwarciu bazy danych we wcześniejszej wersji musisz mieć możliwość zapisywania zmian w bazie danych.* Może być ustawiony atrybut tylko do odczytu pliku bazy danych; wyczyść ten atrybut.* Być może wybrałeś Open R
Cómo arreglar Error de 29029 (Estás intentando abrir una base de datos de solo lectura) - Está intentando abrir una base de datos de solo lectura. @ La primera vez que abra una base de datos de una versión anterior, debe poder escribir cambios en la base de datos. * Se puede establecer el atributo de solo lectura del archivo de la base de datos; borre este atributo. * Es posible que haya elegido Open R

About The Author: Phil Hart has been a Microsoft Community Contributor since 2010. With a current point score over 100,000, they've contributed more than 3000 answers in the Microsoft Support forums and have created almost 200 new help articles in the Technet Wiki.

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