ORA-38701: Flashback database log...

If you are trying to list the restore points you have, and your flashback logs are not available on the disk (in the FRA), you might face ORA-38701.

SQL> select * from v$restore_point; select * from v$restore_point               * ERROR at line 1: ORA-38701: Flashback database log 1 seq 1 thread 1: "/u01/app/oracle/fast_recovery_area/DBMASK/flashback/o1_mf_c4xj2hrd_.flb" ORA-27037: unable to obtain file status Linux-x86_64 Error: 2: No such file or directory Additional information: 3

In this case, you would need to drop your restore point. Take RMAN’s help to list the restore points.

RMAN> list restore point all; using target database control file instead of recovery catalog SCN              RSP Time  Type       Time      Name ---------------- --------- ---------- --------- ---- 2166299                    GUARANTEED 20-NOV-15 FRESH

Now drop listed restore point(s).
If your database was closed, you should now be able to open the database. If your database is already open, you should be able to query v$restore_point.

SQL> drop restore point fresh; Restore point dropped.