User Profile Synchronization Configuration Service cannot connect to SQL Server - Event 4 (SharePoint Server 2010)

 

Applies to: SharePoint Server 2010

Alert Name:   User Profile Synchronization Configuration Windows Service cannot connect to SQL Server

Event ID:   4

Summary:   The User Profile Synchronization service cannot connect to the instance of SQL Server. If the service cannot connect to the instance of SQL Server, user profile synchronization will fail to function.

Symptoms:   This event appears in the event log: Event ID: 4 Description: The Forefront Identity Manager Service cannot connect to the SQL Database Server. The SQL Server could not be contacted. The connection failure may be due to a network failure, firewall misconfiguration, or other connection issue. Additionally, the SQL Server connection information could be configured incorrectly. Verify that the SQL Server is reachable from the Forefront Identity Manager Service computer. Ensure that SQL Server is running, that the network connection is active, and that the firewall is configured properly. Last, verify the connection information has been configured properly. This configuration is stored in the Windows Registry.

Cause:   The database for the instance of SQL Server is not accessible from the User Profile Synchronization Configuration Service, because of network connectivity issues or a wrong or changed password in the instance of SQL Server.

Resolution:   Verify that the database server is running and available

  1. On the database server, in the Services snap-in, verify that the SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) service is running.

Resolution:   Verify connectivity between the database server and the farm

  1. Log on to Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio as the account provided in the error details, click Connect, and then click Database Engine.

  2. Type the server name provided in the error details, and then click Connect.

Resolution:   Verify the User Profile Synchronization service credentials

  1. On the Central Administration Home page, click Application Management, and in the Service Applications section, click Manage service applications.

  2. On the Service Applications page, click the User Profile service application.

  3. On the User Profile Service page, in the Synchronization section, click Configure Synchronization Connections.

  4. Right click the connection, and then click Edit Connection.

  5. Verify that the credentials and rights containers are provided in the connection. Verify that the credentials have sufficient permissions to read and write data in the directory, and also ensure that the User Profile Synchronization service is targeting the correct organizational units in the directory. Verify that the credentials have the db_owner fixed database role in the databases on the database server.

Resolution:   Verify the database access credentials

  1. On the Central Administration Home page, click Security, and then click Service Applications.

  2. On the Security page, in the General Security section, click Configure service accounts.

  3. On the Service Accounts page, in the service account drop-down list, click Farm Account.

  4. Verify that this account has sufficient permissions on the database server.