How to Fix [ODBC Driver 13 for SQL Server] SQL Server Network Interfaces: Error Locating Server/Instance Specified [xFFFFFFFF]
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Works With
-Microsoft SQL Server 2016 (RTM) – 13.0.1601.5 (X64)
As a Database Administrator, I’m always a fan of CLI (Command-Line Interface) to run some adhoc administrative commands in administering Microsoft SQL Server and Database. In my case I often use osql or sqlcmd. SQL CLI osql allows you to enter and run Transact-SQL statements, system procedures, and script files. You can find more about osql in Microsoft Docs Website. In this post I will show you how to fix the Error Locating Server/Instance Specified [xFFFFFFFF] error message when using osql.
Error Displayed:
Resolution:
Open SQL Configuration Manager (hit your Windows Logo key, and start typing SQL Configuration…)
On SQL Configuration Manager Manager > Expand the SQL Server Network Configuration
On the right pane, choose Shared Memory
If Shared Memory is Disabled, right-click and choose Enable from the context menu
Click OK from the pop-up dialog
Open up Windows Services
a. via Windows+R, services.msc
b. via Windows Menu built-in search, type services
Find the target SQL Server
You can do a plain restart
OR double-click and do a Stop and Start via the Properties Dialog
Once the service is up, you should be able to use osql.
Caveat:
- As mentioned in Microsoft Docs Website, osql will be deprecated in future versions of SQL, you should use sqlcmd moving forward.