I can't view or delete a azure sql database that costs me hundreds of dollars a month

Question

I can't view or delete a azure sql database that costs me hundreds of dollars a month

Scott Hatcher 0

I have a database "## Diogenes_db_2024-08-20T08-54Z" which looks like an artifact of something in Azure that I can't touch. My production database is "Diogenes_db_2024-08-20T08-54Z". I have been charged hundreds of dollars a month and I can't access/delete it through the portal or cli. I've opened a support ticket with billing and they say I need someone on the technical side to support. Please help.

User's image

Abiola Akinbade 29,405 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-04-06T17:42:40.4433333+00:00

Hello Scott Hatcher,

Thanks for your question.

Do you have the prerequisite role over the subscription scope or the RG? For example Owner?

Also could you check if it may be in another directory?

If the above are confirmed then you need to reach out to support to check the subscription.

You can mark it 'Accept Answer' and 'Upvote' if this helped you

(Please note: If you have Priority Community support please wait for a dedicated Microsoft support representative to assist you, as they have access to the necessary backend resources. If you have not yet opened a support case, we recommend reaching out through the support channel available under your subscription level.)

Regards,

Abiola
Oury Ba-MSFT 20,911 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2025-04-07T21:54:11.6733333+00:00
@Scott Hatcher Thank you for reaching out.

In addition to community's answer.

Please check if an Azure SQL Database exists using either Azure CLI

Azure CLI

Open your terminal or command prompt.

Run the following command to check if the database exists: Replace <YourDatabaseName>, <YourResourceGroup>, and <YourServerName> with the appropriate names for your database, resource group, and server 1.

How can you use Azure Cost Management to check if the Database is really incurring charges.?

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/cost-management?view=azuresql

Please do share the error message you are getting after running the above command.

Regards,

Oury
Mahesh Kurva 5,025 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-09T01:20:34.8933333+00:00

Hi Scott Hatcher,

We haven’t heard back from you regarding your last response, @Oury Ba-MSFT, and I just wanted to check in to see if you’ve found a resolution yet. If so, please share your solution with the community, as it could be helpful to others. If the issue is still unresolved, feel free to provide more details, and we’ll do our best to assist you.

1 answer

Your answer

Abiola Akinbade 29,405 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-04-06T17:42:40.4433333+00:00

Hello Scott Hatcher,

Thanks for your question.

Do you have the prerequisite role over the subscription scope or the RG? For example Owner?

Also could you check if it may be in another directory?

If the above are confirmed then you need to reach out to support to check the subscription.

You can mark it 'Accept Answer' and 'Upvote' if this helped you

(Please note: If you have Priority Community support please wait for a dedicated Microsoft support representative to assist you, as they have access to the necessary backend resources. If you have not yet opened a support case, we recommend reaching out through the support channel available under your subscription level.)

Regards,

Abiola
Oury Ba-MSFT 20,911 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2025-04-07T21:54:11.6733333+00:00

@Scott Hatcher Thank you for reaching out.

In addition to community's answer.

Please check if an Azure SQL Database exists using either Azure CLI

Azure CLI

Open your terminal or command prompt.

Run the following command to check if the database exists: Replace <YourDatabaseName>, <YourResourceGroup>, and <YourServerName> with the appropriate names for your database, resource group, and server 1.

How can you use Azure Cost Management to check if the Database is really incurring charges.?

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/cost-management?view=azuresql

Please do share the error message you are getting after running the above command.

Regards,

Oury
Mahesh Kurva 5,025 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-09T01:20:34.8933333+00:00

Hi Scott Hatcher,

We haven’t heard back from you regarding your last response, @Oury Ba-MSFT, and I just wanted to check in to see if you’ve found a resolution yet. If so, please share your solution with the community, as it could be helpful to others. If the issue is still unresolved, feel free to provide more details, and we’ll do our best to assist you.

Answer 1

TP 124.7K Volunteer Moderator

Hi Scott,

You can use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to delete the database. For example, connect to your Azure SQL Server using SSMS, click New Query, enter command similar to below, and click Execute

DROP DATABASE [## Diogenes_db_2024-08-20T08-54Z]

User's image

WARNING—The above command deletes a database, so it is critical that you enter the correct database name and are certain you do not need it.

You may need to add a firewall rule to your Azure SQL server allowing your client PC's public IP so that you can connect using SSMS. You can do this in the portal by navigating to your SQL Server -- Security -- Networking blade.

Please click Accept Answer and upvote if the above was helpful.

Thanks.

-TP

TP 124.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-04-08T18:56:40.0533333+00:00

@Scott Hatcher Any update?
Balmukund 176 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2025-04-09T08:34:33.46+00:00

The issue is caused by special characters in the database name. Portal does block such special characters while a creating database. T-SQL allows it by using square bracket around the object names. Suggestion from @TP should work.
Mahesh Kurva 5,025 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-10T01:16:12.1933333+00:00

Hi Scott Hatcher,

Just checking in to see if the below answer provided by @TP helped.

If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.
TP 124.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-04-10T17:15:06.8166667+00:00

@Scott Hatcher Any update? If you are unsure how to carry out my instructions above please add a comment below and I will assist.

Thank you.

Share via

I can't view or delete a azure sql database that costs me hundreds of dollars a month

1 answer

Your answer