{"id":122433,"date":"2023-01-31T10:46:29","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T10:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/?p=122433"},"modified":"2026-03-02T06:47:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T06:47:43","slug":"fixed-access-database-cannot-be-opened-because-the-vba-project-contained-in-it-cannot-be-read-error","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/fixed-access-database-cannot-be-opened-because-the-vba-project-contained-in-it-cannot-be-read-error\/","title":{"rendered":"Access Database Cannot Be Opened Because the VBA Project Contained in It Cannot Be Read” Error"},"content":{"rendered":"
When opening an Access database file in a different Access version or on a different system, you may encounter the “Access database cannot be opened because the VBA project contained in it cannot be read.”<\/p>
The complete error message reads as follows:<\/strong><\/p>
“The database cannot be opened because the VBA project contained in it cannot be read. The database can be opened only if the VBA project is first deleted. Deleting the VBA project removes all code from modules, forms, and reports. You should back up your database before attempting to open the database and delete the VBA project.”<\/p>
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The cause of the error may vary depending on the Access version. Below we’ll be discussing the causes that may lead to this error and the possible solutions to resolve it.<\/p>
What Causes the “Access Database Cannot Be Opened Because the VBA Project Cannot Be Read” Error?<\/strong><\/h2>
Some possible reasons for this error are:<\/p>
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Corrupted database file<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Incorrect Windows Registry settings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Opening the higher version (ACCDE) files in a lower Access version.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Problem with the latest updates of Microsoft Office<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Methods to Fix Access Database cannot be Opened Error<\/strong><\/h2>
Following are some methods you can try to fix the Access database cannot be opened error:<\/p>
Method 1: Compile the Database<\/strong><\/h3>
You can compile the database to fix the VBA-related errors. Microsoft Access does not always compile every part of your database whenever you use it. It compiles what it requires and sometimes, pieces of that can get corrupted.<\/p>
To compile your database, follow these steps:<\/p>
Note:<\/strong> Take a backup of your database before proceeding.<\/p>
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Open your Microsoft Access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Go to Create > Visual Basic<\/strong>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
In the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications <\/strong>window, click Debug > Compile Database<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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After compiling, if you still get the error, you can try decompiling the database.<\/p>
Here are the steps to decompile the database:<\/p>
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Open Command Prompt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Type “C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\Office16\\MSACCESS.EXE” \/decompile “C:\\FullPath\\MyDatabase.ACCDB”<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Some users have reported encountering this error when opening the ACCDE\/MDE files (of Access 2010 SP1 version) with 64-bit versions of MS Access (initial release or RTM). They’re able to fix the error by recreating the database files from their source databases.<\/p>
Method 3-Change File Name Extensions<\/strong><\/p>
Sometimes the “Access database cannot be opened because the VBA project contained in it cannot be read” error can occur due to outdated built-in wizard files. You can fix the error by changing the file name extensions using the below steps:<\/p>
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Close all instances of Microsoft Access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Open the File Explorer<\/strong> window. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
Click the View<\/strong> ribbon and then click the File name Extensions<\/strong> checkbox in the show\/hide<\/strong> group.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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Go to :\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\Office14\\ACCWIZ\\.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Find the below files and rename them to (<filename>.old extension)<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Original File Name Rename To<\/p>
Acwzmain.accde Acwzmain.old<\/p>
Acwzlib.accde Acwzlib.old<\/p>
Acwztool.accde Acwztool.old<\/p>
Utility.accda Utility.old<\/p>
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Start Microsoft Access.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Method 4: Repair the Database<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>
You may also encounter the “Access database cannot be opened” error if the database file is corrupt. You can repair the Access database using the Compact and Repair utility in MS Access. Here are the steps:<\/p>
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Open Microsoft Access. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
Go to File > Info > Compact & Repair Database<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"the](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Microsoft-Access-VBA-Project-Error-Message.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Compile](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Debug-Tab.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Check](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Check-File-name-extensions.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Compact](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Compact-and-Repair-Database.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>