Error Cannot Connect to Server - A network-related or instance-specific error

Question

I get the following error when trying to connect to SQL Server:

Cannot connect to 108.163.224.173.

A network-related 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: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 1326)

This error is thrown when I try to configure my database to gridview in Visual Studio 2020. I'm at a loss as to how to debug this error.

How would you debug this error? What steps should I take in order to determine what is really going on here, in addition to the one mentioned in the error message?

Answer 1

Hello @kartik,

Follow the steps below :

1. Open "SQL Server Configuration Manager"
2. Now Click on "SQL Server Network Configuration" and Click on "Protocols for Name"
3. Right Click on "TCP/IP" (make sure it is Enabled) Click on Properties
4. Now Select "IP Addresses" Tab -and- Go to the last entry "IP All"
5. Enter "TCP Port" 1433.
6. Now Restart "SQL Server .Name." using "services.msc" (winKey + r)

Hope it works!!

If you need to know more about network-related or instance-specific errors, it is recommended that you go for the SQL Certification Course.
ThanK you!!

Comments

Thanks for this..

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Hello Friends,

I am the facings issue in connecting local database.

Error:

TITLE: Connect to Server
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Cannot connect to DESKTOP-JQ2TJQV.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

A network-related 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: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 2)

For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft%20SQL%20Server&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=2&LinkId=20476

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The system cannot find the file specified

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BUTTONS:

OK
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Anyone please help me on the above ?

Regards,

Vanitha

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Hello,

If the above solution doesn't work you can refer this:https://www.lansweeper.com/knowledgebase/a-network-related-or-instance-specific-error-occurred/

Answer 2

Hello,

The "sql server error 40" is appears mostly when SQL Server does not allow remote connections, Firewall Settings or TCP/IP is not enabled. You need to do some troubleshoots to determine where is the issue.

Some fast steps are:

1. Check SQL Server is running
2. Make sure that Allow Remote Connections is enabled on sql server properties
3. Check if TCP/IP is enabled
4. Configure to allow SQL Server in Firewall Settings
5. Check for working fine SQL Server Browser
6. Make sure that you can ping the SQL Server

Thnx