SQL Server login vis Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio issue

Question

Hi All

15 years ago I was experienced SQL developer, but not DB admin. I'm starting up a small personal project with Visual Studio and SQL Server.

Visual Studio has no problems connecting to the database. I have been able to create tables via the Visual Studio interface.

I can also access SQL Server via the command prompt. Here is a screenshot showing these.

However when I open SQL Server Management Studio, and do Local Server Groups - Tasks - Register Local Servers, I get "No local servers of type 'Database Engine' were found.

If I do a New Server Registration I have tried lots of different Server names which I have found on lots of forum postings about this issue, but none have worked.

The obvious solution is that the server isn't running, but Visual Studio and the command prompt indicate otherwise.

Am I missing something

Answer 1

That is because you are running localdb. Localdb is not a service, but runs in your user space.

To connect to one of your instances, say (localdb)\MSSQLLOCALDB or (localdb)ProjectsV13.

By the way, you are running the RTM version of SQL 2016. You should download and install Service Pack2 and then the latest Cumulative Update, which I think is CU15.

Answer 2

Thanks for your reply.

I had already tried those instances. However I decided I should update to the latest before testing everything again.

SP2 went fine. CU15 had the following error.

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Answer 3

I did a reboot and tried again to make sure. Same error.

Visual Studio can still access the databases fine.

Answer 4

Hm, what does "SELECT @@version" return after installation of SP2? Could Windows Update have sneaked in the recent GDR before you came to run the CU15 install? Sounds a little unlikely, but...

Is the problem only with Registered Servers, or do you have the same problem when opening a query window?

Answer 5

Running Select @@version in Visual Studio returns

Microsoft SQL Server 2016 (SP1) (KB3182545) - 13.0.4001.0 (X64) Oct 28 2016 18:17:30 Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation Express Edition (64-bit) on Windows 10 Pro 6.3 <X64> (Build 18363: )

Do you mean opening a query window in SSMS? When I select New Query there I get "There are no Registered Servers under the Group 'Local Server Groups'.