How to Repair a Corrupted SQLite Database in Sonarr or Radarr

✨ Quick Answer

The corrupted database error in Sonarr or Radarr (identified in logs with the message database disk image is malformed) occurs when the internal SQLite file (sonarr.db or radarr.db) becomes corrupted due to interrupted writes, sudden server power outages, or file lock synchronization issues on network-attached storage systems.

Quick Diagnostics

Cause

Corrupted Sonarr/Radarr SQLite database due to abrupt shutdown

Solution

Restore an automatic backup from Backups/scheduled/ folder

Cause

Damaged sqlite3 database integrity

Solution

Repair database: `sqlite3 sonarr.db ".recover"

The corrupted database error in Sonarr or Radarr (identified in logs with the message database disk image is malformed) occurs when the internal SQLite file (sonarr.db or radarr.db) becomes corrupted due to interrupted writes, sudden server power outages, or file lock synchronization issues on network-attached storage systems.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. 1

   Step 1: Detener el contenedor o servicio afectado

   Before manipulating the database, you must make sure that there are no processes writing to it. Stop the corresponding Docker container:

   BASH Copy

   docker stop sonarr
   

2. 2

   Step 2: Ejecutar los comandos de recuperación de SQLite

   Access the directory where container settings are saved (typically /docker/sonarr/ or /home/user/appdata/sonarr/) and execute the SQLite rescue tools in your terminal:

   BASH Copy

   # Exportar los datos sanos del archivo corrupto a una plantilla de recuperación
   sqlite3 sonarr.db ".recover" | sqlite3 clean.db
   
   # Respaldar la base de datos corrupta original
   mv sonarr.db sonarr.db.bak
   
   # Reemplazar la base de datos por la versión limpia recuperada
   mv clean.db sonarr.db
   
   # Verificar que los permisos del archivo sean correctos (ejemplo para Docker)
   chmod 664 sonarr.db
   

3. 3

   Step 3: Reiniciar el servicio

   Start the container or service again. Sonarr will read the restored file without issues:

   BASH Copy

   docker start sonarr