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Editorial Team
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Asked: 2026-06-03T19:10:13+00:00

When I open the Management Studio and try to connect using the [PCNAME]/SQLEXPRESS it

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When I open the Management Studio and try to connect using the [PCNAME]/SQLEXPRESS it shows this error:

“Cannot connect to [PCNAME]\SQLEXPRESS”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Error Message:

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: 26 – Error Locating Server/Instance
Specified) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: -1)

For help, click:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=-1&LinkId=20476“

I’ve also tried “localhost”, “local” and “.” in the place for [PCNAME] but to no avail.

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    Make sure SQL Server (SQL Express) service is running.

    in powershell prompt type:

    Get-Service -Name 'MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS'

    service “status” property should be reported as “Running”

    If it is not, type (you need to be in elevated prompt, i.e. “Run as Administrator”):

    Start-Service -Name ‘MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS’

    OR

    click start > type cmd and type

    sc query MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS

    State should be reported as “Running”

    If it is not, type (you need to be in elevated prompt, i.e. “Run as Administrator”):

    sc start MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS

    If you get an error that the service cannot be found:
    Open SQL server Configuration Manager and make sure you have SQL server express installed:
    enter image description here

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