How to fix the Oracle error ORA-38793: cannot FLASHBACK the database to a future SCN/time?

In this post, you’ll learn more about the Oracle ErrorORA-38793: cannot FLASHBACK the database to a future SCN/time with the details on why you receive this error and the possible solution to fix it.

Oracle Error Description

ORA-38793: cannot FLASHBACK the database to a future SCN/time

Reason for the Error ORA-38793: cannot FLASHBACK the database to a future SCN/time

The Flashback Database target SCN/timestamp is greater than the current database SCN/timestamp and the database incarnation is not the last opened incarnation.

How to fix the Error ORA-38793: cannot FLASHBACK the database to a future SCN/time ?

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

If the target SCN/timestamp is in the current incarnation or a child incarnation whose branch point is after the current database SCN then RECOVER DATABASE to the target SCN/time. If the target SCN/timestamp is in a child incarnation whose branch point is prior to the current database SCN then FLASHBACK DATABASE to before the branch point. Next use RMAN to reset the database to the child incarnation. Finally, RECOVER DATABASE to the target SCN/time.