Ununable to install sql server (setup.exe) Exit code (Decimal): -2147467259 Error description: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion.

Question

Ununable to install sql server (setup.exe) Exit code (Decimal): -2147467259 Error description: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion.

moris shehady 0

I'm trying to download SQL express

through the installation process it gives me an error

Oops...

Unable to install sql server (setup.exe)

Exit code (Decimal) -2147467259E Error description: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion
along with a log folder, image added to the question. I don't know which is the actual log and I can't find any solution to this online, it's not my antivirus as I tried to turn off my firewall during installation and it didn't fix it...
User's image

Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2024-04-30T21:11:28.17+00:00

The files of most interest are Summary.txt and detail.txt.

In this case, also check if you have a file C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQLnn.SQLEXRPRESS\MSSQL\LOG\ERRORLOG. If there is, this file is very interesting. (nn here is a number depending on the version of SQL Server you are trying to install.)
moris shehady 0 Reputation points

2024-05-01T06:26:49.9233333+00:00

specific link I'm trying to download from is https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads
regarding the MSSQLnn.SQLEXPRESS there's no error log inside of the log folder, also there are a few MSSQL16 folder

Detail.txt
Summary_Desktop-Mori_20240430_183131.txt
Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2024-05-01T08:44:16.38+00:00

Short summary: Obviously something is broken on your machine, but what, I don't have much idea.

Can you check the Windows event log, both System and Application and see if you find any errors that may be relevant?
LiHongMSFT-4306 31,621 Reputation points

2024-05-02T03:18:44.3433333+00:00

If exist any other SQL instance installed on this machine?
moris shehady 0 Reputation points

2024-05-07T11:19:39.56+00:00

Sorry for the late reply,
There were no SQL instances installed on my PC prior to installing. I even tried to fully uninstall from what files were installed with the failed installer and then reinstall, same error.

Regarding the Windows event log, sorry but I don't know much about how it works. Am I supposed to run the installation again and check it? or how does it work exactly
Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2024-05-07T21:15:27.4233333+00:00

Right-click "This PC" and select "Manage". You find Event Viewer in the menu to the left. Expand to WIndows Logs.

You don't need to run the installation again, but you need to find messages that co-incide with your installation in time. This can be a bit tedious. Filtering out informational messages reduces the noise a bit.