What is ‘Login failed Microsoft SQL Server error 18456’?
If you are experiencing ‘Login failed Microsoft SQL Server error 18456’ while trying to connect to SQL Server (local or remote) in Windows 10/8/7 computer, then you are in right place for the solution. Here, you will be guided with easy steps/methods to resolve the issue. Let’s starts the discussion.
‘Microsoft SQL Server’: MS SQL Server or Microsoft SQL Server is RDMS (Relational Database Management System) designed & developed by Microsoft. As Database server, it is software with the primary function of storing and retrieving data as requested by other software applications which may run either on same computer or on another computer across the network/internet. It is written in C & C++ programming language and available for Linux, Microsoft Windows Server and Microsoft Windows Operating System.
However, several users reported that they faced ‘Login failed Microsoft SQL Server error 18456’ problem while they tried to connect to Microsoft SQL Server on their Windows 10 computer or on Windows Server. This error prevents you from logging-in into MS SQL Server (local or remote) for some reasons. There could be several reasons behind this error including required administrator permissions not give SQL Server, disabled TCP/IP protocol in SQL Server settings and other reasons. Let’s take a look at error message.
“Login failed for user ‘<user_name>’. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 18456)”
Here, <user_name> is username of MS SQL Server received by the user. One possible way to resolve the issue is to restart the MS SQL Server, your computer (Client), and networking equipments/computers. Also, you should make sure you are entering correct username & password and not copy-pasting the address. Entering wrong SQL Server login credentials could be one possible reason behind Login failed error. So, make sure you are entering correct details.
You should also make sure you are entering correct database name in MS SQL Server and make sure you have updated the configuration file accordingly. You can try to resolve the issue by unlocking the account by using query ALTER LOGIN WITH PASSWORD = UNLOCK. Sometimes, this type of error can be occurred if SQL Server is under attack. Let’s go for the solution.
How to fix Login failed Microsoft SQL Server error 18456 on Windows 10 or Windows Server?
Method 1: Run MS SQL Server as Administrator and disable UAC on the server
This error can be occurred with SQL server is not running with administrator permission. You can run SQL Server with Admin permission and then disable UAC on the server in order to fix the issue.
Run SQL Server as Administrator:
Step 1: Type ‘SQL Server Management Studio’ in ‘Windows Search box’, right-click on SQL Server Management Studio from the results appeared, and select ‘Run as Administrator’
Step 2: Click on ‘Yes’ button on UAC dialog box and check if you login into SQL Server without any issue
Step 3: If not, then check if disabling UAC on the server machine resolve the issue
Run the SQL Server in Single User Mode:
Step 1: Type ‘SQL Server Configuration Manager’ in Windows Search box, right-click on SQL Server service, and select ‘Properties’
Step 2: In the ‘Properties’ window, click on ‘Startup Paramenters’ tab and type ‘-m’ inside ‘Specify a startup parameter’ box and then hit ‘Add’ and ‘Apply’ button
Step 3: Now, right-click on SQL Server service and select ‘Restart’ to restart the service
Step 4: Now, type ‘SQL Server Management Studio’ in Windows Search box and right-click on results appear and select ‘Run as Administrator’, and check if the error is resolved.
Step 5: If so, then Add the domain account to SQL Server and assign it the ‘SysAdmin’ role
Step 6: Now, back to the ‘SQL Server Configuration Manager’ window, and remove ‘-m’ parameter in ‘Startup Parameters’ tab
Step 7: Finally, restart SQL Server service again using ‘step 3’ and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 2: Enable TCP/IP protocol in SQL Server Conjuration Manager
Step 1: Type ‘SQL Server Configuration Manager’ in Windows Search box and open it from results appeared. Click ‘Yes’ if UAC prompt appeared
Step 2: In the eloped window, in left pane, find and expand ‘SQL Server Network Configuration’ and select ‘Protocols For’ option
Step 3: Now, in right pane, find and double-click on ‘TCP/IP’ and select ‘Yes’ in dropdown of ‘Enabled’ and then hit ‘Apply’ to save the changes
Step 4: Now, press ‘Windows + R’ keys on keyboard, type ‘services.msc’ in the opened ‘Run’ window and hit ‘OK’ to open ‘Services’ window
Step 5: In the opened window, find and right-click on SQL Server with server name, and select ‘Restart’ option to restart the service
Step 6: Once done, check if the error is resolved.
Method 3: Change Authentication Mode of SQL Server
Step 1: Open ‘SQL Server Management Studio’ via Windows Search and in ‘Objects Explorer’, find and right-click on your Sever and select ‘Properties’
Step 2: In the opened ‘Server Properties’ window, in left pane, select ‘Security’ and in right pane, select ‘SQL Server and Windows Authentication Mode’ radio option
Step 3: Finally, hit ‘Apply’ to save the changes and in ‘Object Explorer’ of SQL Server Management Studio, right-click on your server and select ‘Restart’ to restart the server and check if the error is resolved.
Step 4: If not, run the following command in ‘Windows PowerShell (Admin)’ or install MS Power tools and then run the command
psexec.exe -i -s ssms.exe
Step 5: Check if the issue is resolved after execution the above command
Method 4: Enable SA Account and reset account password
One possible way to resolve the issue is to enable SA account of SQL server and reset its password.
Step 1: Open ‘Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio’ and expound ‘Security’ in left pane
Step 2: Double-click on ‘Logins’ and open ‘SA’
Step 3: Now, enter new password and confirm the password, and then go to ‘Server Roles’ tab and select ‘Public’ and ‘SysAdmin’ role options
Step 4: Now, go to ‘Status’ tab and in right pane, select ‘Enabled’ under ‘Login’ and then hit ‘Apply’ to save the changes
Step 5: Now, open ‘Services’ Window via Windows Search, find and right-click on SQL Server Service and select ‘Restart’ to restart the service. Once done, check if the error is resolved.
Method 5: Create new login and restart the ‘Reporting Services’
If the issue is still persist, then you can create new login and restart the reporting services.
Step 1: Open ‘Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio’ and expand ‘Security’ tab in left pane
Step 2: Now, expand ‘Logins’, right-click on it and select ‘New login’, enter the credentials, in the login name, select your computer account
Step 3: Deselect ‘User Must Change Password at next Login’ checkbox and select the Database
Step 4: Now, go to ‘Server Roles’ and select ‘Public’ role, and go to ‘User Mapping’ tab, and select the database and select db_owner, and then save the changes
Step 5: Now, open ‘Services’ window via Windows Search, find and right-click on SQL Server Reporting Service and select ‘Restart’ to restart the service.
Step 6: After that, try reconnecting to the database and check if the error is resolved.
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Conclusion
I am sure this post helped you on How to fix Login failed Microsoft SQL Server error 18456 on Windows 10/Windows Server with several easy steps/methods. You can read & follow our instructions to do so. That’s all. For any suggestions or queries, please write on comment box below.
