Menu

Troubleshooting: Can't Connect to SQL Server

Avatar

ShipWorks Content Team

Updated

Background

Are you encountering the following error when launching the ShipWorks application? In most cases, you can quickly resolve this issue yourself.

ShipWorks could not login to SQL Server. Detail: A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections.

Error message "ShipWorks could not login to SQL Server."

The Process

Reboot

First, try rebooting your PC. There is a Windows service that allows the ShipWorks application to talk to the ShipWorks database, which sometimes decides to stop running. If it is not running, you receive the error. Rebooting should force the service to start again.

Did that work for you?

  • Yes - Great! You are all set.

  • No - OK, let's try starting the service manually. It is really easy. Honest.

Download the Cheat Sheet

While we do include detailed instructions for you below, you can follow the 4 short steps in the printable cheat sheet to get up and running quickly. Plus, you can save the cheat sheet for later, just in case you need to start the service again.

If you need to follow more detailed instructions, see below.

Restart SQL Server in Windows 10

  1. Note the SQL Server instance name indicated in the "Connect to SQL Server" window that displays when you open ShipWorks.

  2. Go to the Windows search prompt bar at the bottom left, type services, and then click the Services icon/listing at the top of the search results.

    Windows search bar with "services" typed into the field and the Services option selected from the list

  3. Scroll down to find the SQL Server specified in the error message. (In this example, the instance is SHIPWORKS).

    If the instance does not show a status of "running," right-click it and select Start.

    Windows Services screen with the SQL Service (SHIPWORKS) option selected and the contextual menu open showing the "Start" option selected

    Once the service starts, open ShipWorks, and you should be able to log in successfully.

Restart SQL Services in Windows 7

  1. Make note of the SQL server instance. This can be found in the "Connect to SQL Server" window when you open ShipWorks.

    ShipWorks Connect to SQL Server screen showing the Server instance name

  2. Click the Start button and right-click on Computer. Then, select Manage.

    Windows Start menu open with Computer selected and the contextual menu open, with Manage selected

    This will open the Computer Management screen.

  3. Click Services and Applications on the left side of the screen.

    Windows Computer Management screen with Services and Applications selected

  4. Click on Services.

    Windows Computer Management screen with the Services section open

  5. Scroll down in the list of services and look for a service called SQL Server (YOUR INSTANCE NAME). The default is SQL Server (SHIPWORKS).

    Windows Computer Management screen open to the SQL Server (SHIPWORKS) services

  6. Right-click the service and select Start or Restart.

    Windows Computer Management screen with the SQL Service contextual menu open and Start selected

Once the service starts, you should be able to open ShipWorks and log in successfully.

Still Need Help?

Please feel free to reach out to one of our awesome Technical Support Representatives in St. Louis.  We are happy to help.

    Attachments

Have a comment to share about this article? We'd love to hear from you. You must be logged in to your Support Portal account to leave a comment.

Comments

0 comments