SQL SERVER – trouble shooting after installation FIX : ERROR : (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 – Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: ) This is just a quick refresher. Make sure to bookmark this as you never know when you would need this solution. Let us check into the steps to resolve this error. 1) SQL Server should be up and running. Go to All Programs >> Microsoft SQL Server 2008 >> Configuration Tools >> SQL Server Configuration Manager >> SQL Server Services, and check if SQL Server service status is “Running”. 2) Enable TCP/IP in SQL Server Configuration When two or more SQL Servers are connected across network they do all communication using TCP/IP. The default port of SQL Server installation is 1433. This port can be changed through SQL Server Configuration Manager . TCP/IP should be enabled for SQL Server to be connected. Go to All Programs >> Microsoft SQL Server 2008 ...