Rows not Released Error: Simple Ways to Fix It
Simple resets usually do the trick
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ERROR_ROWSNOTRELEASED is a Windows error that usually occurs when you’re using database apps like Excel or Microsoft Access. It can occasionally show up in other scenarios, too.
Usually, it happens because you’re trying to fetch data, but something like an unfinished task gets in the way. System file corruption or low memory can also cause it.
Here’s how you put an end to this error:
How to fix ERROR_ROWSNOTRELEASED on your Windows PC
If you have the ability to save your progress, do so and try restarting your PC. This simple reset clears out unnecessary processes and background tasks that can lead to errors. If that won’t help, follow the more advanced steps below.
1. Refresh or close active connections (Excel)
- Go to the Data tab.
- Select Queries& Connections.
- Right-click on any active connections and choose Refresh or Close.
- Save your spreadsheet, close Excel, and check if the problem persists.
2. Repair database (Access)
- Open the database that leads to the error.
- Go to File> Info.
- Select the Compact and Repair Database option.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to complete.
- Continue working on your database and see if ERROR_ROWSNOTRELEASED shows up again. If it does, try the other solutions listed below.
3. Fix system files
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Type SFC/scannow and press Enter.
- Wait for the process to complete and restart your PC. This command scans your PC for corrupt system files and fixes any issues found.
4. Repair the problematic app
- Open Windows Settings and select Apps> Installed Apps.
- Scroll down until you find the app displaying the error, click on the three dots, and select Modify/ Advanced Settings.
- Select Repair and follow the on-screen prompts to finish up the process.
- Restart your PC and see if the ERROR_ROWSNOTRELEASED error persists.
This method fixes app file corruption and other issues such as outdated versions.
5. Free up memory space
- Open File Explorer and go to This PC.
- Locate the drive where the app displaying the error is located and check its free space by hovering over it.
- If there’s very little space available (i.e. below 10 GB), consider cleaning up your drive:
- Open the Disk Cleanup utility on your PC.
- Select the drive you want to clean up.
- Check the boxes for the files you want to remove and hit OK to start the process.
- Wait for the cleanup to complete, and check if the error is still happening.
- Open the Disk Cleanup utility on your PC.
Alternatively, you can manually go through files that keep junk such as the Reycycle Bin, the Temp folder and Downloads and delete the files you no longer need, but this will take a longer time.
You can also use a third-party PC cleanup utility – many of them are more efficient than Disk Cleanup, especially if you’re not sure what to keep and delete.
That’s about it. Following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to fix problems such as the ERROR_ROWSNOTRELEASED on your Windows PC.
Remember to keep your system up to date and run frequent antivirus scans to prevent problems from recurring in the future.
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