SQL Server Express - connect from another machine

Question

SQL Server Express - connect from another machine

Jon Jacobs 86

I installed SQL Server Express v 2012 on one of our servers, whose OS is 2008 Server Standard.
Although the OS is 64 bit, I was only able to install the 32-bit version.
I used Default Instance, which was MSSQLServer. I turned on TCP/IP and that defaulted to port 1433 for all IPs, which is what I wanted anyway.
I stopped and started the instance so the change was made effective.

However, I still cannot access the instance from another computer. What am I missing?

CarrinWu-MSFT 6,891 Reputation points

2021-05-12T07:57:47.287+00:00

Hi @Jon Jacobs , we have not get a reply from you. Did any answers could help you? If there has an answer helped, please do "Accept Answer". If not, please let us know. By doing so, it will benefit for community members who have this similar issue. Your contribution is highly appreciated. Thank you!
Jon Jacobs 86 Reputation points

2021-05-12T11:40:36.863+00:00

Actually I did reply, but for some unknown reason it was not successfully posted. I am trying again. I did read the references and attempted the solutions offered and could not. I finally concluded there was something wrong with my installation of the SQL Server Express 2014 and uninstalled it. There was also a corrupted 2008 version I uncovered, but was unable to uninstall it. I removed the vestiges of that software manually and deleted the related services. With that cleaner environment, I will attempt to reinstall the 2014 version, and maybe this time I can get the SQL Server Browser running.
CarrinWu-MSFT 6,891 Reputation points

2021-05-13T01:29:04.833+00:00
Hi @Jon Jacobs , thank you for your replying. If you try to reinstall SQL Server, you could refer to below steps to delete the left components:

Uninstall the existing SQL Server and all the components from the add remove program.

Backup the registry.

Delete the following keys using regedit:
--HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server
--HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSSQLServer

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and delete all the sub-keys referencing SQL Server.

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services and delete all the keys referencing SQL Server.

Rename all the SQL Server folders in the computer.

Reboot the machine.

Waiting for your good news.
Jon Jacobs 86 Reputation points

2021-05-14T15:40:55.44+00:00

Thank you for those registry tips.
CarrinWu-MSFT 6,891 Reputation points

2021-05-17T01:27:38.377+00:00

Hi @Jon Jacobs , have you resolved this issue? any update for this?

3 answers

Your answer

CarrinWu-MSFT 6,891 Reputation points

2021-05-12T07:57:47.287+00:00

Hi @Jon Jacobs , we have not get a reply from you. Did any answers could help you? If there has an answer helped, please do "Accept Answer". If not, please let us know. By doing so, it will benefit for community members who have this similar issue. Your contribution is highly appreciated. Thank you!
Jon Jacobs 86 Reputation points

2021-05-12T11:40:36.863+00:00

Actually I did reply, but for some unknown reason it was not successfully posted. I am trying again. I did read the references and attempted the solutions offered and could not. I finally concluded there was something wrong with my installation of the SQL Server Express 2014 and uninstalled it. There was also a corrupted 2008 version I uncovered, but was unable to uninstall it. I removed the vestiges of that software manually and deleted the related services. With that cleaner environment, I will attempt to reinstall the 2014 version, and maybe this time I can get the SQL Server Browser running.
CarrinWu-MSFT 6,891 Reputation points

2021-05-13T01:29:04.833+00:00

Hi @Jon Jacobs , thank you for your replying. If you try to reinstall SQL Server, you could refer to below steps to delete the left components:

Uninstall the existing SQL Server and all the components from the add remove program.

Backup the registry.

Delete the following keys using regedit:
--HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server
--HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSSQLServer

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and delete all the sub-keys referencing SQL Server.

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services and delete all the keys referencing SQL Server.

Rename all the SQL Server folders in the computer.

Reboot the machine.

Waiting for your good news.
Jon Jacobs 86 Reputation points

2021-05-14T15:40:55.44+00:00

Thank you for those registry tips.
CarrinWu-MSFT 6,891 Reputation points

2021-05-17T01:27:38.377+00:00

Hi @Jon Jacobs , have you resolved this issue? any update for this?

Answer 1

Olaf Helper 47,581

In Express Edition remote connections are disabled by default, you have to enable them first: Configure the remote access Server Configuration Option

And if there is a Firewall runing on server and/or client side, you have to setup rules to allow access on Port 1433; see Configure a Windows Firewall for Database Engine Access

Answer 2

Hi @Jon Jacobs ,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

Please check below list:

SQL Server Browser service is running
Enable protocols: To connect to SQL Server from another computer, you normally use TCP/IP. If TCP/IP isn't enabled, right-click TCP/IP, and then click Enable.
Testing TCP/IP connectivity: In the command prompt window, type ping <ip address> and then the IP address of the computer that is running SQL Server.

Please get more information from Troubleshoot connecting to the SQL Server Database Engine

Best regards,
Carrin

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Pratik Thummar 21 Reputation points

2021-05-14T19:17:32.5+00:00

Also set SQL Browser on Automatic in Services.msc.

Also Check Firewall..

Antivirus...

Answer 3

Pratik Thummar 21

Also set SQL Browser on Automatic in Services.msc.

Also Check Firewall..

Antivirus...

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SQL Server Express - connect from another machine

3 answers

Your answer