DB with SIMPLE Recovery model not releasing log space

  • Hi,

    I have a database in SIMPLE recovery model and the log file size is approx 30GB (99% free). I am not able to find any open transactions or orphaned transactions.

    The transaction log file does not go down even after database full backup is completed. The database has 2 data files and 1 log file.

    sp_helpfile for the database shows the below results

    namefileidfilename filegroup sizemaxsizegrowthusage

    DB1_Data1x:\Data\DB1_Data.MDF PRIMARY 39000960Unlimited 10%data only

    DB1_Log2x:\Data\DB1Lob_Data.MDF NULL30864960214748364810%log only

    DB1Lob_Data3y:\Log\DB1_Log.LDF PRIMARY_LOBS1437888Unlimited 10%data only

    The DB1_Log (Tlog file) has the data file mapped to it and the DB1Lob_Data (Secondary Data file) has the log file mapped to it.

    Could this be the reason why the log file is not releasing space? Any clarification on this is much appreciated.

  • Mohammed Imran Ali (12/11/2012)


    The transaction log file does not go down even after database full backup is completed

    Full database backup will not reduce Tlog size.

    Have you verified the status of VLF's? Post the result of DBCC Loginfo(Yourdatabasename).

  • Mohammed Imran Ali (12/11/2012)


    Could this be the reason why the log file is not releasing space? Any clarification on this is much appreciated.

    The only thing that releases space back to the OS is a shrink file. Nothing else reduces the size of the physical file.

    Since the log file is 99% free space, log reuse is working properly and there's no problems here, nothing to be concerned about.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

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