Resolving could not open a connection to SQL Server errors

4 Replies

Problem

Sometimes you may have issues connecting to SQL Server and you may get messages such as the following:

ERROR: (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 – Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error:) An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 – Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 5)

Or

An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 – Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 1326)

Or

A network-related error or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible.  Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: TCP Provider, error: 0 – No such host is known.) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 11001)

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4 thoughts on “Resolving could not open a connection to SQL Server errors”

  1. Kasiimu's avatarKasiimu

    AM using server 2008.. but when i try to create a connection the server name does not appear, even when i try to type it there i cant get the databases. bt the surver is showing me that its working well. Help Me please.

    Reply ↓
    1. Jugal Shah's avatarJugal Shah Post author

      Can you please give me more information? Server is named or default instance?, you are trying to connect from the same server? plz provide me more information.

      Reply ↓

Thanks for the comment, will get back to you soon... Jugal Shah