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How to Fix Error 1067: MSSQL Server Service Not Starting on Windows 11 with SQL Server 2024

Error 1067 indicates that the MSSQL Server service terminated unexpectedly while trying to start. This can occur due to misconfigurations, corrupted files, or insufficient permissions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to resolve the issue.

1. Verify MSSQL Configuration Settings

  1. Open SQL Server Configuration Manager.
  2. Navigate to SQL Server Services.
  3. Check the Log On As account:
    • Right-click the MSSQL service and select Properties.
    • Go to the Log On tab. Ensure the account has proper permissions to run the service (use a local system account for testing purposes).
  4. Verify the Startup Parameters:
    • In the Properties window, review the Startup Parameters under the Advanced tab. Ensure there are no syntax errors or invalid paths.

2. Check Disk Space and Database Files

  • Ensure there is enough free space on the disk where SQL Server files are stored.
  • Navigate to the MSSQL\Data directory and verify that database files (*.mdf and *.ldf) are not missing or corrupted.

3. Review the Error Logs

  • Open the Event Viewer (Press Win + R, type eventvwr, and hit Enter).
  • Look for SQL Server-related errors under Windows Logs > Application.
  • Check the SQL Server error log:
    • Go to the SQL Server installation folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Log).
    • Open the latest error log file and look for clues.

4. Repair SQL Server Installation

If critical components are missing or corrupted, repair the SQL Server installation:

  1. Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
  2. Locate Microsoft SQL Server 2024, right-click, and select Change.
  3. Choose Repair and follow the prompts.

5. Rebuild the Master Database

If the master database is corrupted, rebuilding it might fix the issue:

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Run the following command (adjust the paths as per your setup):
    bash
    setup.exe /QUIET /ACTION=REBUILDDATABASE /INSTANCENAME=InstanceName /SQLSYSADMINACCOUNTS=AdministratorAccount
  3. Restart the server.

6. Verify and Adjust Service Permissions

  • Open Services (Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter).
  • Locate SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) and ensure it has adequate permissions to access required files and directories.

7. Reinstall SQL Server as a Last Resort

If all else fails, back up your databases and perform a clean reinstallation:

  1. Uninstall SQL Server completely.
  2. Delete leftover directories (e.g., C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server).
  3. Reinstall SQL Server 2024.

Conclusion

Error 1067 can be frustrating, but following these steps systematically will help you identify and fix the root cause. If you’re still unable to resolve the issue, consider seeking assistance from the official Microsoft SQL Server support team.