After updating my Asp.Net Core MVC application from .NET 6 to 8, I have to include Encrypt=false in the SQL connection string

Question

EncryptError.pngWhile running my Asp.Net Core MVC application on .NET 6, the SQL server connection string didn't have any value regarding the "Encrypt". After updating to .NET 8, I have to include Encrypt=false in the connection string saved in the appSettings.json. If I didn't include it, or have it as "Encrypt=true", I am getting this error.

Answer 1

Hi Sherpa,

You're hitting this because of a breaking change in EF Core 7.0 (which .NET 8 uses). The Encrypt parameter now defaults to true instead of false.

Quick fix:

Add Encrypt=false to your connection string in appSettings.json:

{
  "ConnectionStrings": {
    "DefaultConnection": "Server=your-server;Database=your-db;Trusted_Connection=true;Encrypt=false"
  }
}

Better fix (if you want to keep encryption):

{
  "ConnectionStrings": {
    "DefaultConnection": "Server=your-server;Database=your-db;Trusted_Connection=true;Encrypt=true;TrustServerCertificate=true"
  }
}

The second option keeps encryption enabled but ignores certificate issues, which is good for development.

Why this happened:

Microsoft made encryption the default for better security. Your .NET 6 app worked because Encrypt defaulted to false, but .NET 8 defaults it to true.

Just add Encrypt=false to your connection string and you'll be back up and running.

Hope this help!

Answer 2

It seems due to Breaking changes in EF Core 7.0 (EF7)

See "Encrypt defaults to true for SQL Server connections" section in the above document.