ORA-39701: database must be mounted EXCLUSIVE for UPGRADE or DOWNGRADE

This document describes how to fix "ORA-39701: database must be mounted EXCLUSIVE for UPGRADE or DOWNGRADE" error in RAC database.

Error:
 

Solution:

Convert the database into Non-RAC and start the database in upgrade mode.

SQL> startup nomount
ORACLE instance started.

Total System Global Area 1140850688 bytes
Fixed Size            2923584 bytes
Variable Size          486540224 bytes
Database Buffers      637534208 bytes
Redo Buffers           13852672 bytes
SQL>

SQL> alter system set cluster_database=false scope=spfile;

System altered.

SQL>

Bounce database to take effect.

SQL> show parameter cluster

NAME                     TYPE     VALUE
------------------------------------ ----------- ------------------------------
cluster_database             boolean     TRUE
cluster_database_instances         integer     2
cluster_interconnects             string
SQL> shut immediate;
ORA-01507: database not mounted


ORACLE instance shut down.
SQL>

Start the database i
SQL> startup upgrade
ORACLE instance started.

Total System Global Area 1140850688 bytes
Fixed Size            2923584 bytes
Variable Size          486540224 bytes
Database Buffers      637534208 bytes
Redo Buffers           13852672 bytes
Database mounted.
Database opened.
SQL>