Windows event 17162 (for restart of SQL Server) not shown in event viewer.

Question

I am trying to extract restart time of SQL Server from Windows event viewer. However; it is not shown. My server hasn't restarted from last 3 weeks approximately. Can it be because something is causing old events to be wiped out. Please guide. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi @DM ,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!
There is an easier way to know when SQL Server was last restarted, such as using sys.dm_os_sys_info.

Of course there are other methods, and I have made a list of them.
Method 1--> errorlog
sp_readerrorlog 0,1,'Copyright (c)'
Method 2--> tempdb creation
SELECT create_date FROM sys.databases WHERE name = 'tempdb'
Method 3--> sqlserver start time in sys.dm_os_sys_info
SELECT sqlserver_start_time FROM sys.dm_os_sys_info
Method 4--> session_id from sys.dm_exec_sessions
SELECT login_time FROM sys.dm_exec_sessions WHERE session_id = 1
Method 5--> Dashbord
Right click on the server name in SSMS and select Reports > Standard Reports > Server Dashboard and you will get a report similar to below report.
Method 6--> Event viewer
This is the method you are using. (The blog I posted below mentions event 17163. but tested it in my environment and it is event 17162)
The blog I posted below mentions event 17163. but tested it in my environment and it is event 17162. If you don't find the corresponding event through the filter, then it should be a windows event missing issue. You can check this link and find the solution.

If you want to take a look at the screenshots of these methods above by the way, you can take a look at this Microsoft article: SQL Server: Find Windows and SQL Server Last Restart Time.

Best regards,
Seeya

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