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Why are my SQL Servers not running and won't run when I try to start them? How do I fix this?

Amber Cheramy 0 Reputation points
2025-10-01T19:45:49.73+00:00

I am trying to download new time clock software for my business, TimePilot Central 5. I keep getting error stating cannot connect to SQL Server. I have updated Windows 11, shut off my firewall, unistalled TimePilot and restarted my computer and then reinstalled TimePilot. I cannot Start my SQL server in theSQL Server Configuration Manager. It says the request failed or the service did not respond in a timely fashion. Nothing is working. Help!

SQL Server Database Engine
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  1. Erland Sommarskog 127.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-10-01T21:16:15.0533333+00:00

    Check the SQL Server errorlog, which is located in C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\LOG\ERRORLOG, assuming a default installation of SQL 2022. Thus, the exact path may very.

    Do you see a message about 256 misaligned reads? If so, you are running into a known issue where Windows 11 reports a disk-sector size that SQL Server does not support.

    If this is the case, uninstall SQL Server and read this article: https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/troubleshoot/sql/database-engine/database-file-operations/troubleshoot-os-4kb-disk-sector-size, which gives you workaround for the issue. After having applied the required edits, install SQL Server again.

    (If SQL Server is installed as part of TimePilot, you should probably uninstall and re-install TimePilot.)

    If you don't see any error about 256 misaligned reads, feel free to attach the errorlog here. You will need to rename it to ERRORLOG.txt for the forum software to accept it.

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  2. Akhil Gajavelly 645 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-10-06T09:16:32.42+00:00

    Hi @Amber Cheramy ,

    You’re most likely hitting a known Windows 11 and SQL Server compatibility issue where the operating system reports a disk-sector size that SQL Server can’t handle. That’s why the service won’t start and TimePilot can’t connect.

    Here’s the fix that works:

    1. Uninstall TimePilot Central 5 (and any SQL Server components it installed).
    2. Follow Microsoft’s official workaround for the disk-sector issue:  https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/troubleshoot/sql/database-engine/database-file-operations/troubleshoot-os-4kb-disk-sector-size
    3. Restart your PC after applying the steps.
    4. Re-install TimePilot Central 5, it will set up SQL Server again, and the connection should work normally.

    Regards,
    Akhil.

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  3. Akhil Gajavelly 645 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-10-09T07:38:15.44+00:00

    Hi @Amber Cheramy ,

    Just checking in to see if you had a chance to try the steps I shared earlier for fixing the SQL Server and Windows 11 compatibility issue. Once you apply Microsoft’s workaround and reinstall TimePilot Central 5, the service should start normally.

    Please let me know if the issue still persists or if you ran into anything unexpected happy to help further.

    Thanks,
    Akhil.

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