Hello @bk ,
Thanks for the question and using MS Q&A platform.
As per the error message and the SQL error number, below could be the possible root case and resolution for the issue:
- Make sure your server name is correct, e.g., no typo on the name.
- Make sure your instance name is correct and there is actually such an instance on your target machine. [Update: Some application converts \ to . If you are not sure about your application, please try both ServerInstance and Server\Instance in your connection string ]
- Make sure the server machine is reachable, e.g, DNS can be resolve correctly, you are able to ping the server (not always true).
- Make sure SQL Browser service is running on the server.
- If firewall is enabled on the server, you need to put sqlbrowser.exe and/or UDP port 1434 into exception.
For more details, refer to SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified and nice video on SQL Network Interfaces error 26 Error locating server/instance specified.
Hope this will help. Please let us know if any further queries.
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