How to Restart SQL Server – A Complete Guide for Dev

Hello Dev, if you’re reading this article, you’re probably facing issues with your SQL server or want to restart it for routine maintenance. Restarting the SQL server is a basic task that you will have to perform at some point in your career. In this article, we will guide you through the entire process of restarting the SQL server.

What is SQL Server and Why You Need to Restart It?

SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. It helps to store, process and retrieve data for various applications. Sometimes the SQL server may become unresponsive or slow down, and the only solution to fix the issue is to restart it. Restarting the SQL server is also required when you need to perform routine maintenance on it.

FAQs

How to Restart SQL Server

There are multiple ways to restart SQL Server. In this section, we’ll discuss some of the most common methods:

Method 1: Restart SQL Server using SQL Server Configuration Manager

Follow the below steps to restart SQL Server through SQL Server Configuration Manager:

Step 1: Open SQL Server Configuration Manager. You can open it by searching for “SQL Server Configuration Manager” in the Start menu.

Step 2: In the left pane, expand the “SQL Server Services” option.

Step 3: Right-click on the SQL Server instance that you want to restart and click on “Restart”.

Step 4: A confirmation dialog box will appear. Click on “Yes” to restart the service.

Step 5: The SQL Server service will now stop and start again.

Method 2: Restart SQL Server using SQL Server Management Studio

Follow the below steps to restart SQL Server through SQL Server Management Studio:

Step 1: Open SQL Server Management Studio.

Step 2: Connect to the SQL Server instance that you want to restart.

Step 3: Right-click on the server name and select “Restart”.

Step 4: A confirmation dialog box will appear. Click on “Yes” to restart the service.

Step 5: The SQL Server service will now stop and start again.

Method 3: Restart SQL Server using Command Prompt

Follow the below steps to restart SQL Server through the Command Prompt:

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 2: Type the following command:

net stop MSSQLSERVER

Step 3: Press Enter. This will stop the SQL Server service.

Step 4: Type the following command:

net start MSSQLSERVER

Step 5: Press Enter. This will start the SQL Server service.

Precautions to Take Before Restarting SQL Server

Before restarting the SQL Server, it is important to take some precautions to avoid any potential issues:

Backup your Data:

Before restarting the server, make sure to backup all of your data to avoid any data loss in case of any issues.

Schedule Maintenance Window:

It is recommended to schedule a maintenance window to restart the SQL server during off-peak hours to avoid any disruption to your users.

Stop Dependent Services:

It is recommended to stop any dependent services before restarting the SQL server to avoid any potential issues.

Conclusion

Restarting SQL server is a basic task that you will have to perform at some point in your career. In this article, we have provided you with multiple methods to restart SQL Server. Make sure to take the necessary precautions before restarting the server to avoid any potential issues.