Reasons why SQL Server Agent won’t start

Dev, we all know that SQL Server Agent is an essential component of Microsoft SQL Server. It helps automate administrative tasks and allows you to schedule jobs to run on a specific schedule. But what happens when SQL Server Agent won’t start? It can be frustrating and even lead to downtime, which no developer wants. In this journal article, we will be discussing the common reasons why SQL Server Agent won’t start and provide solutions to resolve the issue.

1. Incorrect Logon Credentials

Whenever you’re starting SQL Server Agent, It’s imperative to use the correct credentials or the SQL Server Agent service won’t start. If you’re using the wrong password, your SQL Server Agent service will fail to start, and that’s where the problem starts.

One way to resolve this issue is to confirm if the login credentials are correct. To do that, go to SQL Server Configuration Manager to check if the SQL Server Agent account credentials are correct. Be sure to use the correct login ID and password.

Another way is to log in as an administrator and reset the password. Once you’ve done that, restart the SQL Server Agent service.

FAQ:

Question
Answer
Q: How do I reset the password for SQL Server Agent?
A: You can reset the password by logging in as an administrator and navigating to the Local Users and Groups snap-in. Right-click the SQL Server Agent account and select Set Password.
Q: Why won’t my SQL Server Agent service start?
A: There could be several reasons why your SQL Server Agent service is not starting, including incorrect logon credentials, incorrect configuration settings, or a corrupted installation file.

2. Incorrect Configuration Settings

Another reason your SQL Server Agent won’t start could be because of incorrect configurations. For instance, if the service account configured for SQL Server Agent doesn’t have the necessary permissions, SQL Server Agent won’t start.

To correct this issue, navigate to SQL Server Configuration Manager and open the SQL Server Agent properties window. Check that the service account has the necessary permissions to access SQL Server Agent.

You could also try to change the service account to ‘Local System Account.’ However, you should only use this option if you’re running the SQL Server Agent on your local machine.

FAQ:

Question
Answer
Q: What permissions do I need to give the service account for SQL Server Agent to start?
A: The service account for SQL Server Agent should have ‘Log on as a service’ and ‘Log on as a batch job’ permissions.
Q: What should I do if changing the service account doesn’t work?
A: In that case, try to reinstall SQL Server Agent. You can also check the event logs to see if there are any errors.
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3. Corrupted Installation Files

If you’ve tried all the above solutions and your SQL Server Agent still won’t start, then it’s possible that your installation file is corrupted. This is a common issue, and it can be resolved by uninstalling SQL Server Agent and reinstalling it.

You could also try to repair the SQL Server Agent installation. Navigate to SQL Server Configuration Manager and open the SQL Server Agent properties window. Click on the ‘Advanced’ tab and then click on ‘Repair’

FAQ:

Question
Answer
Q: How do I uninstall SQL Server Agent?
A: You can uninstall SQL Server Agent using the ‘Add or Remove Programs’ option in Windows Control Panel.
Q: What should I do if reinstalling SQL Server Agent doesn’t work?
A: In that case, you could contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

Conclusion

SQL Server Agent is an essential component of Microsoft SQL Server. It helps automate administrative tasks and allows you to schedule jobs to run on a specific schedule. Sometimes, however, SQL Server Agent won’t start, and it can be frustrating for developers. In this article, we have discussed the common reasons why SQL Server Agent won’t start, including incorrect logon credentials, incorrect configuration settings, and corrupted installation files. We have also provided solutions to help you resolve the issue. With these solutions, you can get your SQL Server Agent up and running again in no time.