How Do I Unlock a Microsoft Access Database?

Every version of Microsoft Access uses a locking file that prevents users from working on the same record at the same time. Microsoft Access 2013 databases have a file extension of ACCDB. When you open a database file, Access creates a locking file with the LACCDB extension. The purpose of this file is to prevent multiple database users from updating the same record at the same time. The LACCDB file contains no data and deletes itself when you close the database. However, in some cases, this file does not delete itself, and the database continues to show as locked.

Since version 2007, the default Access file extension is ACCDB. Locking files share the same name and location as the main database file, but their extension is LACCDB. Before the 2007 version, these extensions were MDB and LDB.

The LACCDB file remains open until the last user exits the database. In rare cases, this locking file does not delete itself and must be removed manually. If you know the name of the database, but do not know where it is stored, you have two options: run a search for all files with the LACCDB extension, or contact your network administrators and give them the necessary information.