Cannot Activate Database Copy: Content Index Catalog Files in Failed State

 

 

When activating a database copy in an Exchange Server 2010 Database Availability Group it may fail with an error message that catalog index files are in a failed state.

 

When you view the copy status of the mailbox database the content index is in a failed state.

[PS] C:\>Get-MailboxDatabaseCopyStatus | fl name, contentindexstate

Name              : Mailbox Database 01\EX1
ContentIndexState : Failed

Name              : Mailbox Database 02\EX1
ContentIndexState : Healthy

To resolve the issue update the content index on the server on which it has failed.

[PS] C:\>Update-MailboxDatabaseCopy "Mailbox Database 01\EX1" -CatalogOnly

The content index should now be in a healthy state.

[PS] C:\>Get-MailboxDatabaseCopyStatus | fl name, contentindexstate

Name              : Mailbox Database 01\EX1
ContentIndexState : Healthy

Name              : Mailbox Database 02\EX1
ContentIndexState : Healthy

After the content index is healthy you can attempt to activate the database copy again.