Can't connect to SQL Server from laptop, but works okay from desktop...

Question

Can't connect to SQL Server from laptop, but works okay from desktop...

Roy Edwards 1

I recently bought a new laptop (HP Pavilion) with Windows 11 Pro. I am trying to connect to the database at work and receive an error stating the server can't be found. I also have a desktop with Windows 10 Pro and the connection works just fine. Both computers are on the same network, both have the same VPN installed with identical settings. I've tried everything I can think of to no avail. The security on the server is based on user login, not IP address, and I'm logging in (or trying to) with the same credentials from each computer. I can access contents of shared folder and can ping the server successfully from both computers. Server is running MSSQL Server 2014, both computers trying to connect via MS Server Management Studio v.18.1. Does Windows 11 set some firewall settings different by default than Windows 10? If not that, what am I missing?

The error message is:

TITLE: Connect to Server

Cannot connect to SC-****\sql******.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: -1)

Thanks.

2 answers

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Answer 1

Seeya Xi-MSFT 16,586

Hi @Roy Edwards ,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server.

Please refer to this document for troubleshooting: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/sql/connect/network-related-or-instance-specific-error-occurred-while-establishing-connection

Best regards,
Seeya

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Roy Edwards 1 Reputation point

2022-11-23T06:33:19.717+00:00

I've been through this and it didn't help. This is about server configuration. As mentioned previously, the server is configured correctly and it works perfectly on my desktop and has for almost 5 years. It is obviously something on my end (client side). It is only on my laptop that I get this error.
Seeya Xi-MSFT 16,586 Reputation points

2022-11-23T06:54:19.597+00:00

Hi @Roy Edwards ,

I want to confirm with you if you are trying to connect to SQL Server from your laptop to your computer.
If yes, please refer to: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/lesson-2-connecting-from-another-computer?view=sql-server-ver16
If I have misunderstood you, please feel free to let me know.

Best regards,
Seeya
Roy Edwards 1 Reputation point

2022-11-23T06:58:08.09+00:00

I am trying to connect my laptop to sql server in the office (remote). I also have a desktop computer that I use when working from home to connect to the sql server and that connection works.
Seeya Xi-MSFT 16,586 Reputation points

2022-11-23T07:12:53.983+00:00

Hi @Roy Edwards ,

A common reason for failure is not turning on Allow Remote Connections. make sure Allow remote connections to this server is checked.

For more steps to check, please read this article: https://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/2340/resolving-could-not-open-a-connection-to-sql-server-errors/#:~:text=Check%20to%20see%20if%20allow,instance%20to%20apply%20the%20change.

Best regards,
Seeya
Roy Edwards 1 Reputation point

2022-11-23T07:17:07.453+00:00

Allow remote connections is turned on. Again, I'm using my desktop to connect to the same server that fails from the laptop. Server is configured correctly has had worked without issues for several years.
Seeya Xi-MSFT 16,586 Reputation points

2022-11-23T07:40:53.863+00:00
Server is configured correctly has had worked without issues for several years.

This does not guarantee that the remote connection is theoretically free of problems.
To make it clearer for you, I've listed them.

Make sure your server name is correct.

Make sure your instance name is correct and there is actually such an instance on your target machine. [Update: Some application converts \ to . If you are not sure about your application, please try both ServerInstance and Server\Instance in your connection string ]

Make sure the server machine is reachable, e.g, DNS can be resolve correctly

Make sure SQL Browser service is running on the server.

Make sure TCP/IP and Named Pipes protocols are enabled. The TCP/IP default port is 1433.

If firewall is enabled on the server, you need to put sqlbrowser.exe and/or UDP port 1434, 1433 into exception.
Roy Edwards 1 Reputation point

2022-11-23T11:25:00.567+00:00

I checked all of these issues before posting the question. The issue is definitely something on the client side. With all things being equal between the desktop and laptop except the OS, I'm beginning to suspect Win 11 itself and a default setting in the networking infrastructure that i can't figure out.
Dan Guzman 9,401 Reputation points

2022-11-24T01:36:43.973+00:00

@Seeya Xi-MSFT , the "Allow remote connections to this server" is unrelated to the problem @Roy Edwards is having. The option is deprecated and will be removed from a future SQL Server version as called out in the documentation.

Answer 2

Isaias 1

Just to clarify, you are trying to connect to a sql server that is on a remote network through a VPN connection from your laptop or desktop.

When you try to connect from your desktop everything is ok, but when you try to connect from your laptop, you can't connect.

It might sound strange, but have you check what happens if you disable you AntiVirus or other security software like malwarebytes?, i have found that sometimes they work a little bit strange and can block some connections (even if firewall has and exception) if they're install on windows 11, but on windows 10 those things doesn't happen.

Roy Edwards 1 Reputation point

2022-11-24T00:34:13.387+00:00

You understood the problem exactly. I gave your suggestion a try. Same result. I saw a few other security options and disabled those as well to see if one of those settings was interfering but still no go.

I've never encountered a connection issue like this that gave me this kind of headache.
Isaias 1 Reputation point

2022-11-24T00:49:23.463+00:00

Can you connect to the server from the laptop when you are in fisically at office?
Roy Edwards 1 Reputation point

2022-11-24T03:08:21.377+00:00

I haven't tried. I work remotely. I generally use the desktop when I'm working at home and the laptop on the road. I had another laptop that connected just fine also but it didn't have the processing power or hard drive space to continue using it.
JT Schmitt 0 Reputation points

2023-07-07T14:53:17.4033333+00:00

I have encountered the same exact issue! works perfect on win 10 pro desktop but failed to connect on win 11 pro desktop. Both PC's are on the same network / vlan / building. Did you ever find a resolution?
Roy Edwards 1 Reputation point

2023-07-07T16:17:42.3933333+00:00

No. I've looked at firewall settings and everything else i can think of but no luck. It might not seem so bad if this was a new setup and nothing worked, but the remote connection has been functional for at least 8 years and works on one machine, not the other. With everything else being equal, I can only conclude it's a problem with the OS, not the settings. Very frustrating.

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Can't connect to SQL Server from laptop, but works okay from desktop...

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