Failed to connect to SQL server WSUS Role

Computer Gladiator 111 Reputation points
2022-04-20T19:23:35.477+00:00

Hello, we have a new Server 2019 Standard. Installed SQL server 2019 and need this server configured as a WSUS server. Joined to domain. All SQL services running. Can connect withing Studio also. Installed WSUS role and when getting to the Database Instance Screen I enter servername\instance, the check connection button. I get the error "Failed to connect to the SQL server"
Exception 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. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 25 - Connection string is not valid)

Does anyone have any advice.
Thank you

Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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  1. Rita Hu -MSFT 9,626 Reputation points
    2022-04-22T01:07:52.947+00:00

    @Computer Gladiator
    Thanks very much for your feedback. We're glad that the question is solved now. Here's a short summary for the problem , this will help other users to search for useful information more quickly.

    Problem/Symptom:
    Failed to connect to SQL server WSUS Role

    Solution/Workaround:
    Enter the Server name without instance

    Best regards,
    Rita

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    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Computer Gladiator 111 Reputation points
    2022-04-21T12:39:04.263+00:00

    Hi, thank you for your response. I was entering the correct default instance which in my case was MSSQLSERVER. The format that was required as per the instructions I was following and researching was to enter the <servername>\MSSQLSERVER. As mentioned I kept getting the error as indicated previously. I found an article on the internet that suggested not to enter MSSQLSERVER since it was already recognized by the process as the default if used.
    I removed the MSSQLSERVER and only left the <servername> and I was successful in getting to the next steps without errors to complete the installing of the WSUS Role.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
  3. Rita Hu -MSFT 9,626 Reputation points
    2022-04-21T02:04:24.763+00:00

    @Computer Gladiator
    Thanks for your posting on Q&A.

    Please help to confirm the following services of SQL Server are running normally first:
    194911-8.png

    In addition, the default SQL Server instance is mssqlserver. Please help to make sure you have print the right instance name. Please refer to the below screenshot to review the name of the instance:
    194829-9.png

    Best regards,
    Rita

    If the answer is the right solution, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".
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  4. Ric L 6 Reputation points
    2023-07-26T17:08:12.58+00:00

    I have my SQL server 2022 installed in a different VM. Everything works, can ping both IP and hostname of the sql server instance, including name resolution, firewall ports, Network Discovery everything turned on, all services are running, etc. The issue that I'm having was connecting to the sql DB instance while adding the WSUS role in server manager.

    I specified my sql server name without entering MSSQLSERVER (I even tried to use the sql server IP address) to install the WSUS database and clicked on 'Check connection', but I got 'Failed to connect to the SQL server' no matter what I tried.

    But none of the methods they suggested here worked for me. Please help.

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  5. Paul Louis 26 Reputation points
    2023-09-10T04:10:54.72+00:00

    I have exactly the same issue with WSUS on WinServer 22 and SQL Server 2019

    Any ideas?

    P