Resolving “Please create a master key in the database or open a master key in the session before performing this operation” error

While creating a backup or using the back up of an encrypted database, you may encounter the error - “Please create a master key in the database or open a master key in the session before performing this operation”

You can resolve this error by using:

OPEN MASTER KEY DECRYPTION BY PASSWORD = ‘thepassword'
ALTER MASTER KEY ADD ENCRYPTION BY SERVICE MASTER KEY

You can even backup the master key and then restore it to avoid this error. Here are some additional links to help you resolve this error:

Master Key Closed After Database Copy

Question on restoring encrypted databases on different servers

Getting: The key is not encrypted using the specified decryptor after DB restore

About The Author

Suprotim Agarwal, MCSD, MCAD, MCDBA, MCSE, is the founder of DotNetCurry, DNC Magazine for Developers, SQLServerCurry and DevCurry. He has also authored a couple of books 51 Recipes using jQuery with ASP.NET Controls and a new one recently at The Absolutely Awesome jQuery CookBook.

Suprotim has received the prestigous Microsoft MVP award for nine times in a row now. In a professional capacity, he is the CEO of A2Z Knowledge Visuals Pvt Ltd, a digital group that represents premium web sites and digital publications comprising of Professional web, windows, mobile and cloud developers, technical managers, and architects.

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