This month's discount Comprehensive Database Performance Health Check Testimonials
SQLAuthority with Pinal Dave
Home

SQL SERVER – Fix: Error: Compatibility Level Drop Down is Empty

Pinal Dave
SQL Tips and Tricks
22 Comments

I currently have SQL Server 2012 and SQL Server 2014 both installed on the same machine. My job requires me to travel a lot and I like to travel light. Hence, I have only one computer with all the software installed in it. I can install Virtual Machines but as I was able to install SQL Server 2012 and SQL Server 2014 side by side, I just went ahead with that option. That setup is how I found one day that the compatibility level drop down is empty.

Now one day when I opened up my SQL Server 2014 and went to the properties of the my database, I realized that the dropdown box for Compatibility level is empty. I just can’t select anything there or see what is the current Compatibility level of the database. This was the first time for me so I was bit confused and I tried to search online. Upon searching online I realize that if I was not the first, there are very few questions on this subject on various forums as well as there is no convincing answer to this problem online. That means, I was pretty much first one to face this error.

See the image of the situation I was facing.

Collation settings.

Now I decided to resolve this issue as soon as I can. I spent a few minutes here and there and realize my mistake.

I had connected to SQL Server 2014 instance from SQL Server 2012 Management Studio. Hence, I was not able to see any compatibility related settings. Once I connected to SQL Server 2014 instance with SQL Server 2014 Management Studio – this issue was resolved.

SQL Server 2012 Compatibility Level.

Well, simple things sometimes keep us very busy.

Published by Pinal Dave on SQLAuthority. More of my work at pinaldave.com.

SQL Error Messages, SQL Server
Previous Post
SQL SERVER – Windows File/Folder and Share Permissions – Notes from the Field #029
Next Post
SQL SERVER – Fix – Agent Starting Error 15281 – SQL Server blocked access to procedure ‘dbo.sp_get_sqlagent_properties’ of component ‘Agent XPs’ because this component is turned off as part of the security configuration for this server

Related Posts

22 Comments. Leave new

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.

SQL Server slow? Let's fix it together in about four hours.

Pinal Dave

In my Comprehensive Database Performance Health Check, you share your screen, I guide you, and we fix your biggest performance troublemakers. No passwords. No remote access.

You keep every script, and the know-how to fix it yourself next time.

Want your whole team to learn it?

My Practical Workshop has no PowerPoint, just live demos. My AI Enablement Workshop shows your team where AI saves hours, and where it quietly costs them.

Over 400 customers have worked with me this way, and not one shared a password. See all consulting options.

Who We Are

Pinal Dave is an SQL Server Performance Tuning Expert and independent consultant with over 24 years of hands-on experience. He holds a Masters of Science degree and numerous database certifications.

Pinal has authored 18 SQL Server database books and 120 Pluralsight courses. To freely share his knowledge and help others build their expertise, Pinal has also written more than 5,800 database tech articles on his blog at https://blog.sqlauthority.com.

Pinal is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1) and CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2).

Nupur Dave is a social media enthusiast and an independent consultant. She primarily focuses on the database domain, helping clients build short and long-term multi-channel campaigns to drive leads for their sales pipeline.

Shaivi Pinalkumar Dave is a book author and a women’s artistic gymnast.