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SQL Server service may not start after patch installed

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This article helps you resolve the problem that occurs after the patch installer installs a patch and attempts to restart the system.

Original product version:   SQL Server
Original KB number:   961301

Symptom

You may receive a message that a SQL Server service has failed to start. The SQL Server fails to restart after the patch installer installs a patch and attempts to restart the system. The error message will be displayed on the screen or will appear in the summary.txt log.

Cause

This may be caused by a SQL Service is running but the password has expired. When the patch installer tries to restart the SQL Service will fail on restart.

Resolution

If you receive a message that a SQL Server service failed to start, to troubleshoot the issue check the following:

  • Determine the error. A message would either be shown in the UI or in the summary.txt log located at %programfiles%\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\Log.

  • Verify if the type of startup service is automatic or manual.

  • Verify that the account and password is valid and hasn't expired. A service could have been running previously with an invalid account or password.

  • If the Database engine service will not start, after checking service credentials and startup, check the ERRORLOG. The ERRORLOG can be located at C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\<Instance ID>\MSSQL\LOG.