SQL backups failing with error "The statement BACKUP LOG is not allowed while the recovery model

is SIMPLE" Symptoms Sql backups failing with error: The statement BACKUP LOG is not allowed while the recovery model is SIMPLE. Use BACKUP DATABASE or change the recovery model using ALTER DATABASE. Cause This is a limitation of SQL server; we cannot backup a MS SQL database with the option "incremental" if the database is set to "simple" mode. In "simple" mode the customer must do "Full" backups. Resolution If a incremental backup is needed, we must set the database recovery model to "BulkLogged or Full" in order to complete a transaction log backup. From within SQL server management studio: 1. Right click on the database and choose Properties. 2. Select Options in the left hand pane. 3. Set the Recovery model to Full or Bulk Logged.

If there is a requirement to backup the databases in Simple recovery model itself, then we can create a separate group for the Simple recovery model databases and perform only Full backups for the group.