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sql-server-2014ssms-2014

Cannot connect to SQL Server 2014 Express, tried everything

I just installed SQL Server 2014 Management Studio for the 3rd time and I just can't figure out how to log in.

This is the error I get

This is the error I get. I read all the threads about it. The server is running, TCP is enabled, the port is 1433, I put sql on the firewall exceptions. I'm lost

I really don't know what else to do. I tried the 2008 version too and same problem.

This is what I installed enter image description here

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Solution

  • If you go to Start Menu > Microsoft SQL Server > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Configuration Manager, you should see something like this:

    enter image description here

    If there is an entry for SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS), then you're fine - then you have the SQL Server Express database engine installed, up and running. You can connect to it using .\SQLEXPRESS or (local)\SQLEXPRESS as your server/instance name.

    If you don't see any entries for "SQL Server" - then you don't have SQL Server (the database engine) installed.

    Update: OK, so you have an instance up and running, but it's SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) which means it's the default, unnamed instance - you can connect to it using . or (local) .