How to fix the Oracle error ORA-01038: cannot write database file version string with ORACLE version string?

In this post, you’ll learn more about the Oracle ErrorORA-01038: cannot write database file version string with ORACLE version string with the details on why you receive this error and the possible solution to fix it.

Oracle Error Description

ORA-01038: cannot write database file version string with ORACLE version string

Reason for the Error ORA-01038: cannot write database file version string with ORACLE version string

Attempting to write datafile headers in an old format. The new format can not be used until after the database has been verified as being compatible with this software version.

How to fix the Error ORA-01038: cannot write database file version string with ORACLE version string ?

You can fix this error in Oracle by following the below steps

Open the database to advance to the new file formats, then repeat the operation. If the operation is required before the database can be opened, then use the previous software release to do the operation.