SQL Server Management Studio doesn't connect to Database, how can I fix this problem?

Question

I just started learning SQL Server data management and using SQL Server Management Studio. After working with SSMS I closed it and when I opened it again it didn't connect to the local server. After restarting the computer next time I opened the SSMS it did connect to the local server, but this time the databases in the Object Explorer window didn't expand and if I right-click on the databases to create a new database for practice it didn't give me the option to create on. Any thoughts on how to fix this problem?

Answer 1

Have you tried updating SSMS to the latest version from here?

Enable Named Pipes and Shared Memory as explained here. Restart the SQL Server service after that. Try to connect to the local insance using (local) or a dot (.).

Answer 2

Since we don't know your environment, it is difficult to say exactly what is going on.

When you say "local server", what exactly did you specify when you connected?

If you don't have the option to create databases available, this may be a permission issue. What happens if you open a query window and run

CREATE DATABASE MyNewDatabase

Answer 3

Hi @Z A,

Have you tried to connect to the sql server via connect like shown below?

And then it will ask to connect to the sql server with the name.

You may provide some screenshots for us to narrow down the issue.

Regards，

Zoe Hui

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