How to fix Error 4311 on Windows Server 2025 / Windows 11

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Troubleshooting Guide: Error 4311 — RESTORE PAGE Not Allowed from Earlier SQL Server Backup Versions

Why This Error Happens

Error 4311 occurs because SQL Server 2025 enforces strict version compatibility checks for page-level restores, and the backup file being restored was generated by an older SQL Server engine version (such as SQL Server 2019 or 2022) that lacks the metadata structure required for granular page restores. This typically happens when backup files are migrated or copied from legacy instances without being revalidated against the newer backup format introduced in SQL Server 2025. Essentially, the backup’s internal version stamp doesn’t meet the minimum threshold SQL Server 2025 requires to perform a RESTORE PAGE operation, as opposed to a full database restore.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

Step 1: Verify the Backup’s Origin Version

  • Run the following T-SQL command to inspect backup header metadata:
  RESTORE HEADERONLY FROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\YourDatabase.bak'
  • Check the SoftwareVersionMajor and SoftwareVersionMinor columns in the result set.
  • Confirm if the backup originated from a version earlier than SQL Server 2022 (Major version 16) or SQL Server 2025 (Major version 17).

Step 2: Perform a Full Database Restore Instead of Page Restore

  • Since page-level restore is blocked, restore the full database first using:
  RESTORE DATABASE YourDatabase 
  FROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\YourDatabase.bak' 
  WITH REPLACE, RECOVERY
  • This bypasses the granular page restore limitation entirely by rehydrating the full database in one operation.

Step 3: Take a Fresh Full Backup on SQL Server 2025

  • Once the database is successfully attached/restored on the new instance, immediately generate a new backup using the current engine:
  BACKUP DATABASE YourDatabase 
  TO DISK = 'C:\Backups\YourDatabase_2025.bak' 
  WITH INIT, COMPRESSION
  • This new backup file will carry the correct 2025 version stamp, making it eligible for future RESTORE PAGE operations.

Step 4: Re-Attempt the RESTORE PAGE Operation

  • Using the newly created 2025-version backup file, retry the specific page restore command:
  RESTORE DATABASE YourDatabase PAGE = '1:258' 
  FROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\YourDatabase_2025.bak' 
  WITH NORECOVERY
  • Confirm the command processes without triggering Error 4311.

Step 5: Check Server Configuration for Compatibility Level

  • Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and verify the database compatibility level:
  SELECT name, compatibility_level FROM sys.databases WHERE name = 'YourDatabase'
  • If the level is below 160 (SQL Server 2022) or 170 (SQL Server 2025), update it using:
  ALTER DATABASE YourDatabase SET COMPATIBILITY_LEVEL = 170

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • To verify the fix, run RESTORE HEADERONLY again on the new backup file and confirm the SoftwareVersionMajor column now reflects version 17.x (SQL Server 2025).
  • If RESTORE PAGE still fails after creating a new backup, use the Full Database Restore + Differential Backup approach as a workaround instead of relying on page-level restores for legacy data sources.