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Fix Microsoft Access Process Stays Open After Closing Database

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users report that Microsoft Access fails to close completely, leaving background processes running and locking database files.

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Closing the database window in Microsoft Access to exit the application
Observed behavior: The MSACCESS.EXE process remains running in Task Manager, which keeps the .laccdb file locked and can trigger Error 3014 upon attempting to reopen or move the file.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved all data queries or edits and manually force-close the lingering MSACCESS.EXE background process through the Windows Task Manager to temporarily release the locked file.

Solution 1Recommended

Revert Microsoft Access to a Previous Stable Version

Rolling back your Microsoft Office installation to an earlier build bypasses the newly introduced background process bug.

Since this issue is tied to a specific version update in Microsoft Office, reverting to a known stable build (such as version 16.0.17726.20126) is the most effective way to prevent the database from locking.

Open Command Prompt

Click the Start menu, type 'cmd', right-click on 'Command Prompt', and select 'Run as administrator'.

Navigate to the Click-to-Run Folder

Type the command 'cd %programfiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun' and press Enter.

Execute the Revert Command

Type 'officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17726.20126' and press Enter to initiate the rollback.

Disable Automatic Updates

Open Microsoft Access, navigate to File > Account, click 'Update Options', and select 'Disable Updates' to prevent the buggy version from reinstalling automatically.

Submit Feedback to Microsoft: You can help the product team investigate this issue by opening Access and navigating to Help > Feedback > Report a Problem.

Solution 2

Manually Terminate the Background Process

Forcefully closing the Access process provides an immediate workaround to release the .laccdb file lock without modifying software versions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an .laccdb file and why does it stay locked?

The .laccdb file is an Access record-locking information file created when a database is opened to prevent multiple users from conflicting edits. It stays locked if the Microsoft Access application (MSACCESS.EXE) fails to close properly and continues running in the background.

What does Error 3014 mean in Microsoft Access?

Error 3014 indicates that Access cannot open or access the requested database or table. In this context, it happens because the previous session never fully terminated, leaving the database locked and inaccessible for new sessions.

When will Microsoft patch the Access process bug?

Microsoft investigates these issues based on user reports submitted via the 'Report a Problem' tool. Fixes are typically bundled into monthly Office updates, but utilizing the version rollback workaround is recommended while waiting for an official patch.

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