When the service account is removed from local Administrators group, SQL Server may not start. Here is why, and the minimal permissions it needs.
SQL SERVER – Error: Timeout (30000 milliseconds) Waiting for the SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) Service to Connect
Timeout 30000 milliseconds waiting for the SQL Server service to connect. Why the service start times out, what to check, and how to give it longer.
SQL SERVER – FIX: Error: 913, Severity: 16 – Could Not Find Database ID 3. Database May Not be Activated Yet or May be in Transition – SQL Service
SQL Server would not start and the ERRORLOG showed Error 913: could not find database ID 3. Database may not be activated yet. Here is the fix.
SQL SERVER – Errorlog The Server was Unable to Initialize Encryption Because of a Problem with a Security Library
SQL Server would not start, and the ERRORLOG said the server was unable to initialize encryption because of a problem with a security library.
Why to Use SQL Server Configuration Manager Over Services applet (services.msc)? – Interview Question of the Week #112
Why use SQL Server Configuration Manager Over Services applet (services.msc) to change a service account? The reasons, from permissions to passwords.
Msg 864: Buffer Pool Extension Size Over the Limit
Msg 864 means a buffer pool extension file is larger than SQL Server allows for the memory in the machine. This post gives the limits, four read-only checks tested on SQL Server 2025, and the steps to start a server that will not boot.
Operating System Error 5 on Backup: Fix Access Denied
Operating system error 5 means Windows refused the SQL Server service account access to a backup folder. This post reproduces the error, shows how to find the account with a query, grants the permission, and explains the look-alike errors for missing paths and mapped drives.