How to find server name of SQL Server Management Studio

I installed Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

When I start SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), I get the Connect to Server login window with a blank textbox for Server name. I have tried a lot of names, but I couldn't solve it.

How can I find / get the server name?

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18 Answers

Open up SQL Server Configuration Manager (search for it in the Start menu). Click on SQL Server Services. The instance name of SQL Server is in parenthesis inline with SQL Server service. If it says MSSQLSERVER, then it's the default instance. To connect to it in Management Studio, just type . (dot) OR (local) and click Connect. If the instance name is different, then use .\[instance name] to connect to it (for example if the instance name is SQL2008, connect to .\SQL2008).

Also make sure SQL Server and SQL Server Browser services are running, otherwise you won't be able to connect.

Edit:

Here's a screenshot of how it looks like on my machine. In this case, I have two instances installed: SQLExpress and SQL2008.

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Run this Query to get the name

SELECT @@SERVERNAME

4

Open CMD

Run this

SQLCMD -L

You will get list of SQL Server instance

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the default server name is your computer name, but you can use "." (Dot) instead of local server name.

another thing you should consider is maybe you installed sql server express edition. in this case you must enter ".\sqlexpress" as server name.

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As mentioned by @Khaneddy2013, the cmd SQLCMD -Lreturns no server name when I run. Bcz I only have installed the SSMS (local db and server were not installed). After tried installing SqlLocaLDB and SQLEXPR32_x86_ENU(32 bit OS) I was able to connect. And now the cmd window shows the server names too.

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Note: To connect to server on SQL Server Management Studio(SSMS), we must first install SQL Server.

So steps to proceed are as

Step 1 : Downloads and Install Microsoft SQL Server 2019

Step 2 : Downloads and Install SQL Server Management Studio

If still not able to see the Server name on SSMS, have a look at these three screen:

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There are many ways mentioned above. But I use rather simple way (well not simple as SELECT @@SERVERNAME). When you start SQL server management studio you will prompt below GUI

In there Server name is your server name (There may have multiple servers according to you dev environment choose correct one). Hope this helps :)

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start -> CMD -> (Write comand) SQLCMD -L first line is Server name if Server name is (local) Server name is : YourPcName\SQLEXPRESS

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given the following examples

• SQL Instance Name: MSSQLSERVER
• Port: 1433
• Hostname: MyKitchenPC
• IPv4: 10.242.137.227
• DNS Suffix: dir.svc.mykitchencompany.com

here are your possible servernames:

• localhost\MSSQLSERVER
• localhost,1433\MSSQLSERVER
• MyKitchenPC,1433\MSSQLSERVER
• 10.242.137.227,1433\MSSQLSERVER
• MyKitchenPC.dir.svc.mykitchencompany.com,1433\MSSQLSERVER

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I also had this problem first time.

In the Connect to Server dialog box, verify the default settings, and then click Connect. To connect, the Server name box must contain the name of the computer where SQL Server is installed. If the Database Engine is a named instance, the Server name box should also contain the instance name in the format: computer_name\instance_name.

So for example i solved the problem like this: I typed in the server name: Alex-PC\SQLEXPRESS

Then it should work. for more see

Step1: Ensure SQLEXPRESS and LocalDB installed on your system Go to SQL SERVER Configuration Manager => SQL Server Service

If nothing listed for SQL Server services, install below components (for 64 bit OS) 1. SqlLocalDB 2. SQLEXPR_x64_ENU 3. SQLEXPRADV_x64_ENU 4. SQLEXPRWT_x64_ENU

Step2: Open Management Studios Enter . (Dot) as server name and click on Connect [enter image description here][2] Else Enter .\SQLEXPRESS as server name and click on connect

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simply type .\sqlexpress as the Server Name

Typing sp_helpserver will give you a list. As others have noted, there are multiple ways, some with alias' and such. This stored proc may return multiple lines but could get you closer to your answer.

1.you can run following command.

EXEC xp_cmdshell 'reg query "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\Instance Names\SQL"';
GO

you can read instance name using Registry. Ingore null values.

2.using inbuilt standard Report.

select instance--> right click->Reports-->Standard Reports-->server Dashbords

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Make sure you have installed SQL Server.

If not, follow this link and download.

Once SQL server is installed successfully. You will get server name. Refer to the below picture:

Please Install SQL Server Data Tools from link (SSDT)

You can also Install it when you are installing Visual Studio there is Option "Data Storage and Processing" you must be select while installing Visual Studio

Try using a . or localhost as server name, might work a few times.

my problem was that when connecting to SQL Database in the add reference wizard, to find the SERVERNAME. i found it by: running a query(SELECT @@SERVERNAME) inside SQL management studio and the reusl was my servername. I put that in my server name box and it worked all fine.

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