Forgot SQL Server “SA” password? Don’t Worry

Hi Rama,

Need your help. I forgot the “SA” password and I am unable to access to SQL Server via windows/sql authentication. Is there any way we can recover the “SA” account?

Hello Vamshi,

Yes, we can as long as you are able to RDP and you are a built in administrator to your windows box.

Thanks Rama, I am an admin to the windows box, I am able to RDP to the server. Could you guide me how to recover the “SA” account?

Yes Vamshi. Sure. Here is the way you can do that. Please follow the below steps to reset the “SA” account.

Log on to window box and make sure the built in administrator enabled

Go to SQL Server Configuration Manager and add the -m parameter to run the SQL Server in single user mode as show in below screenshot

Re-start the SQL Server

Now logon to SQL Server with builtin administrator as below

Here you go, you are able to connect to SQL Server. Now change the “SA” account password

After that remove the -m parameter from SQL Server configuration manager and restart the sql server

Connect SQL Server with new “SA” password. There you go!

Hope you enjoyed the post!

Cheers

Ramasankar Molleti

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Published by Ramasankar

Hi. I’m Ramasankar Molleti. I’m a passionate IT professional with over 14 years of experience on providing solutions for customers who are looking on cloud computing, Database Migration, Development, and Big Data. I love learning new technologies and share my knowledge to community. I am currently working as Sr Cloud Architect with focus on Cloud Infrastructure, Big Data. I work with developers to architect, build, and manage cloud infrastructure, and services. I have deeep knowledge and experience on working with various database platforms such as MS SQL Server, PostgeSQL, Oracle, MongoDB, Redshift, Dyanamodb, Amazon Aurora. I worked as Database Engineer, Database Administrator, BI Developer and successfully transit myself into Cloud Architect with focus on Cloud infranstructure and Big Data. I live in USA and put my thoughts down on this blog. If you want to get in touch with me, contact me on my Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramasankar-molleti-23b13218/ My Certifications: Amazon: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional certificate AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty AWS Certified Security – Specialty certificate AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty certificate AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Microsoft: Microsoft® Certified Solutions Associate: SQL Server 2012/2014 Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft® Certified IT Professional: Database Administrator 2008 Microsoft® Certified Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance View more posts