Fix Error – SQL Server does not exist or access denied

Being as an SQL Server user, I always try new methods to fix the SQL Server database errors. Sometimes I become successful and sometimes failed but, I never quit.I am discussing a scenario through this blog which is based on this error.

I got an email from a guy and he shared his problem with me. He was using SQL Server 2008 getting the following error message on the screen:

“SQL Server does not exist or access denied”.

He searched the solution over the internet and checked the all the protocol which can be the reason of this error but he was unable to fix the error. Sometimes user gets the error even if the Named Pipes and TCP/IP protocols are enabled. To fix this error, stay on this blog.

Step 1: Check the status of the protocol name.

Then you need to create the alias on the client side.

Step 2: Searching for cliconfig.exe which is present in the System32 folder and click on it.

Step 3: To create TCP/IP alias, select TCP/IP from the list and click on the Enable button. 

Now it will be add on the Enabled protocols by order section.

Note: Make sure there is no Named Pipe in the list. If any Named Pipes is in the list then disable it.

Step 4: Now click on the Alias section.

Step 5: Click on the Add button.

Step 6: In Server alias section, fill the Server name of SQL Server database.

Step 7: Select the TCP/IP section which is the second option in the Network libraries.

Now fill your SQL Server IP address in the Server name box as shown in the figure.

Click on the OK button.

Note: Default port number of the SQL Server is 1433.

Step 8: Click on the Network Libraries to check the entry.

Now you can connect to remote SQL Server using Server Name.

Other Scenario 

SQL Server 2005: In SQL Server 2005, server assigned the instance name to measure the connection information.

Solution: Just remember one thing; the instance name is also included with the Server name. Take a look on the below image:

You can see the Server Name is included with the instance name P6Instance.

Note: When you select the default instance and the default instance is already present on your machine then, it will be automatically upgraded by the SQL Server setup. A single machine can host only a single default instance. 

Conclusion: These are the two scenarios to fix this error. Always check the network protocol status and follow these steps to fix this error.