Connection issues using SSMS, error 18456

Question

Connection issues using SSMS, error 18456

SPorter 0

keep getting this error when attempting to access database

Mahesh Kurva 10,520 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-21T23:04:00.5666667+00:00

Hi SPorter ,Greeting!!

It looks like you're having some trouble with the connection to your database and encountering error 18456 while using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).

Fill the User name box with your Microsoft Entra credentials, in the format ******@domain.com and that should fix this error. Make sure you also add that user to the database.

I hope this information helps. Please do let us know if you have any further queries.
Erland Sommarskog 134.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-07-22T09:44:44.2833333+00:00

Mahesh, it seems that is exactly what SPorter did.

As it happens, I get the same error when I try. When I press Connect a tab opens in my browser, and I get a login-window. I enter the password and when I continue I get the same error. I normally don't use MFA, so I cannot say if this has worked in the past.

It would be a little easier if there was a way to get more information about the error. When you get login errors in on-prem SQL Server, you can check the SQL Server errorlog, but it is not available i Azure SQL DB.
Saumuel - Apps4Rent 0 Reputation points

2025-07-22T10:32:28.0233333+00:00

SQL Server Error 18456 almost always indicates a login failure due to incorrect credentials or an authentication mismatch. Common causes include a wrong username or password, attempting SQL Server Authentication when only Windows Authentication is enabled, or the SQL login being disabled or incorrectly configured.
Mahesh Kurva 10,520 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-22T16:14:34.3333333+00:00

Hi SPorter,

We haven’t heard from you on the last response and was just checking back to see if you have a resolution yet. In case if you have any resolution please do share that same with the community as it can be helpful to others. Otherwise, will respond with more details and we will try to help.
Mahesh Kurva 10,520 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-23T16:59:01.11+00:00

Hi SPorter,

We haven’t heard from you on the last response and was just checking back to see if you have a resolution yet. In case if you have any resolution please do share that same with the community as it can be helpful to others. Otherwise, will respond with more details and we will try to help.