Common Ways to Stop or Start SQL Server Service

Ralph Adolphs

Updated: January 11, 2024

There are many ways to stop, start, pause, and restart SQL Server service in Windows. This article shows two easiest, quickest, and most common ways to stop/start SQL Server service, which applies to MSSQL Server 2014/2012/2008/2005.

• Way 1: In SQL Server Configuration Manager
• Way 2: From Windows Command Prompt

Way 1: Stop/Start SQL Server service in SQL Server Configuration Manager

Step 1: Click Windows Start button and then select SQL Server Configuration Manager to open it. If you can't find it after clicking Start button, click All Programs ->Microsoft SQL Server -> Configuration Tools -> SQL Server Configuration Manager.

Step 2: Click the SQL Server Services. Select the instance name and right-click it. Then select Start, stop, pause, resume or restart to change the state of your SQL Server service.

Way 2: Stop/Start SQL Server service from Windows Command Prompt

Step 1: Click Windows Start button. Type cmd in the search box. Right-click cmd.exe and select Run as administrator to open "Command Prompt" as administrator.

Step 2: Run net commands to stop/start your SQL Server service.

Or run the following net commands to change the state of SQL Server service.

Tips: Replace "SQLEXPRESS" with your own database server instance name.