cannot open sql 2012

Question

Windows 10. SQL Server 2012. Access 365.

Want to link some SQL tables to Access. However, suddenly cannot open SQL.

Have re-started my PC. Getting the following error:

Please help!!!!

Answer 1

That error means that there is no SQL Server running where you have specified that it would be.

That could be because SQL Server is not running, it could be because you have a typo, for example, the instance name is not SQL2012. There could be firewalls etc.

Since we don't know your environment and nor do we know why you expect the operation to succeed, we can't really do better than to point you to a troubleshooter. Here is one: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/configure-windows/troubleshoot-connecting-to-the-sql-server-database-engine?view=sql-server-2017

Answer 2

Hi @Maxine Nietz ,

Please follow below steps to troubleshot the issue,

1. Make sure SQL Server Service is running
2. If a named instance, make sure SQL Server browser service is running. Make sure the instance name is spelled correct and there is actually such an instance on your target machine.
3. Make sure SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections
4. Examine the SQL Server error log for messages confirming that SQL is listening on the expected network interfaces and ports
5. Test server connectivity with PING from the client machine
6. Test port connectivity using TELNET to the server and port (from step 4) from the client machine. For example
   TELNET <server-name> 1433
7. Check firewall settings if step 5 or 6 connectivity test fails

If you have some confuse about the steps, please refer to Resolving could not open a connection to SQL Server errors or Troubleshoot connecting to the SQL Server Database Engine to get more information.

---

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".