Typically, to troubleshoot this, you go to SQL Server Configuration Manager (SSCM) and: ensure Shared Memory protocol is enabled ensure Named Pipes protocol is enabled ensure TCP/IP is enabled, and is ahead of the Named Pipes in the settings Maybe it can help: Could not open a connection to SQL Server Note : If this is a new instance of SQL Server be sure SQL Server and Windows Authentication is enabled Right Click the Server in SSMS and pull up server properties Go to Security--> Select 'SQL Server and Windows Authentication Mode' Restart the Server and Login with the credentials https://stackoverflow.com/a/8076038/10763264