SQL Express 2019 - Can't remotely connect

Hugh O'Donnell 101

I have a fresh Windows Server 2019 with a fresh copy of SQL Server 2019 Express. Windows Firewall is turned off.

I installed under default (not named) instance, and have no problems connecting locally with SSMS 2019. However, I can't remotely connect in any way. I don't believe it is listening on any ports.

I've ran netstat -an, and port 1433 is nowhere to be found.

The server is x64 and I would think the install is x64, but I don't have the "SQL Server Network Configuration" tab in Sql Server Configuration Manager, but the (32bit) ones:

I've looked in the SQL Server Logs for "listening" and nothing is found.

I've tried telnet'ing from the installed machine to 127.0.0.1 1433 as well as 10.1.1.5 1433 and neither work.

To me, it seems like even though TCP/IP is Enabled on port 1433, it is not working. But, once again, that is under the (32bit) node.

Oh, and I don't have an "IP Addresses" tab when I go to properties on Client Protocols... TCP/IP.

I'm absolutely stumped. Any ideas?

Erland Sommarskog 111.4K Reputation points MVP

2021-02-26T22:38:03.937+00:00

What do you get if you type SQLServerManager15.msc in a command-line window? What you have above appears to be broken with regards to SQL 2019.

The node with TCP enabled is client protocols, and that is not related to the SQL Server instance.
Hugh O'Donnell 101 Reputation points

2021-02-26T23:44:22.9+00:00

Same thing as in the image.

Accepted answer

Hugh O'Donnell 101 Reputation points

2021-03-01T20:02:32.177+00:00

Thank you to all of you who attempted to help. I was able to get it with just changing the value for the TCP protocol / Enabled in the registry from 0 to 1 and then restarting the service.

I still don't know my Configuration Manager won't show the 64bit nodes. I even uninstalled all of SQL's programs, deleted both the 32bit and 64bit folders of SQL Server under Program Files, and reinstalled.

The path for the Configuration Manager I am using is: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mmc.exe /32 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\SQLServerManager15.msc

It is the only SQLServerManager*.msc I have on my entire machine.

I normally like finding the REASON for something and not just a registry hack. But, in this case, I think I will just move on.

Thank you once again for all that supplied wisdom and help!
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1 person found this answer helpful.
Erland Sommarskog 111.4K Reputation points MVP

2021-03-01T22:19:39.323+00:00

Glad to hear that you got it working, even it is not the ideal solution.

When I think of it, I have heard of the shortcut to SSCM disappearing, but I don't think that I've heard SSCM disappearing entirely. (Well, not even in your case it was not entirely gone, but what was left was not that useful.)

The forum people will appreciate if you accept your post as the answer.

Hugh O'Donnell 101 Reputation points

2021-03-01T22:23:11.317+00:00

Don't think I can accept my own post as an answer.

Erland Sommarskog 111.4K Reputation points MVP

2021-03-01T22:28:51.46+00:00

It has certainly happened before that people have accepted their own post. But no one else can mark a post as the answer. Only the person who asked the question can.

fip 1 Reputation point

2021-05-17T05:41:05.067+00:00

Searching for hours for this solution. Thank you!

Marcel Pokrandt 1 Reputation point

2022-09-23T12:10:17.247+00:00

For me this didn´t work - the SQL Server Configuration Manager already set the flag "Enabled" to 1.

BUT: In reg path "Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL15.SBCSQL2019\MSSQLServer\SuperSocketNetLib\Tcp\IPAll" I set the field "TcpPort" (which was blank) to "1433", restarted and THEN I could connect remotely!!

Dave Mescher 0 Reputation points

2024-07-30T04:27:38.8366667+00:00

Finally, a helpful answer, I was seeing the same problem in SQL Server 2022 Express, with the same fix (a registry hack).
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Andrew Plater 1 Reputation point

2021-04-06T09:15:39.1+00:00

I found this guide helpful
https://www.sqlshack.com/how-to-install-sql-server-express-edition/

Note towards the end it explains about turning on TCP via SSCM for remote access
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UDAY BANERJEE 1 Reputation point

2022-09-23T12:30:02.447+00:00

Start SQL Server Browser Service and check.
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SQL Express 2019 - Can't remotely connect

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