SQL Server startup problems can be frustrating, especially when encountering new errors. However, one reliable starting point for troubleshooting is the Errorlog. In this blog post, we will explore a common error related to the inability to load a user-specified certificate and discuss how to resolve it.
Let’s take a look at an example error message:
2016-11-03 08:55:09.64 Server Error: 26014, Severity: 16, State: 1. 2016-11-03 08:55:09.64 Server Unable to load user-specified certificate [Cert Hash(sha1) "FD757A4A777966D5EEB2BD5445D151528E47A62E"]. The server will not accept a connection. You should verify that the certificate is correctly installed. See "Configuring Certificate for Use by SSL" in Books Online.
This error indicates that SQL Server is unable to load a user-specified certificate, resulting in the server not accepting any connections. To resolve this issue, follow the steps below:
- Open the Registry Editor by typing “regedit” in the Windows search bar and selecting the appropriate result.
- Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL<Version>.<InstanceID>\MSSQLServer\SuperSocketNetLib - Locate the “Certificate” registry key and check its value. The
<Version>placeholder in the registry key path corresponds to the version of SQL Server installed on your machine. For example, MSSQL10 for SQL Server 2008, MSSQL11 for SQL Server 2012, and so on. - If you are not using a certificate, you can safely remove the value in the registry.
- If you are using a certificate, ensure that it is correctly installed and that the thumbprint and subject match the values specified in the registry.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the “Unable to load user-specified certificate” error and allow SQL Server to accept connections again.
Remember, the Errorlog is a valuable resource for troubleshooting SQL Server startup problems. It provides insights into the specific errors encountered and can guide you towards the appropriate solution.
Thank you for reading this blog post. We hope you found it helpful in resolving the SQL Server startup problem related to the inability to load a user-specified certificate.