Connecting to an installation or database

If you unable to connect to the SQL Server database, the problem might be caused by one of the following issues:

  • A firewall blocking access to the SQL Server instance.
  • TCP/IP has not been enabled for the SQL Server instance of SQL Server
  • Remote connections have not been enabled for the SQL Server instance.

For information about areas to check, see the following article:

https://blog.sqlauthority.com/2009/05/21/sql-server-fix-error-provider-named-pipes-provider-error-40-could-not-open-a-connection-to-sql-server-microsoft-sql-server-error/