SQL Error 233 No Process Is on the Other End of the Pipe

5 Ways to Fix Microsoft SQL Server Error 233

Overview of SQL Server Error 233

SQL Server error 233 was saying "No process is on the other end of the pipe". The error details are given as:

A connection was successfully established with the server, but then an error occurred during the login process. (provider: Shared Memory Provider, error: 0 – No process is on the other end of the pipe) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 233)

SQL Server Error Code 233 Causes

No process is on the other end of the pipe error 233 is often caused by two reasons:

• The client attempts to connect with only named pipes and the named pipes protocol is not enabled on the server.
• The client attempts to connect with any available protocol, but named pipes are listed before TCP in the client protocol order.

According to the two reasons above, you can fix error 233 easily. 

Fix 1. Enable TCP/IP to Solve SQL Server Error 233

If the client is attempting to connect using named pipes, and the server is not configured to allow remote connections using named pipes, follow this:

Step 1. Open MS SQL Server. 

Step 2. Go to configuration tools, and then open "SQL Server Network Configuration" in SQL Server Configuration Manager.

Step 3. Choose "TCP/IP" option and enable remote connections using named pipes.

If the client protocol order is attempting to connect with the named pipes protocol before trying the TCP protocol, and named pipes are not enabled on the server, solve this problem by following this:

Using SQL Server Configuration Manager on the client computer, move TCP before named pipes in the protocol order list.

Fix 2. Enable Shared Memory 

Shared Memory Protocol is used for connecting SQL Server, if it is disabled, it may lead to SQL Server login failed error 233.

Step 1. Open MS SQL Server in your system.

Step 2. Choose "Configuration Tools" and "SQL Server Network Configuration".

Step 3. Then, find and right-click "Shared Memory". Choose "Enable".

Fix 3. Enable Named Pipes Protocol to Solve SQL Error 233

SQL Server error 233 occurs because the SQL Server client cannot connect to the server and is not configured to accept remote connections. To fix this issue, except for enabling Shared Memory and TCP/IP, we still need to activate Named Pipe protocols with SQL Server Configuration Manager tool.

Step 1. Run MS SQL Server. 

Step 2. Go to configuration tools, and then open "SQL Server Network Configuration" in SQL Server Configuration Manager.

Step 3. Launch the Properties windows of Named Pipes Protocol then click "Enable". 

Step 4. Click "Apply" and "OK"  to apply this change on SQL Server.

You have required to restart SQL Server services from the SQL Server Configuration Manager. Once the server is online, try to reconnect to your SQL Server instance. Then, the error 233 may not appear and you will be able to make a successful database connection.

Fix 4. Check for Remote Connection

After these workarounds, if you are still facing Microsoft SQL Server error 233 no process is on the other end of the pipe, then you will need to allow remote connection for SQL Server. 

Step 1. Connect to SQL Server Instance in SSMS locally on a database server.

Step 2. Right-click on the Server instance name and choose "Properties".

Step 3. At the left tab, select "connection" then check the option "Allow remote connections to this server".

Fix 5. Repair Corrupted MS SQL Database to Resolve SQL Error 233

If you are still facing the same issue, the cause might be the database itself. MS SQL Server is vulnerable to different threats and errors (823/824/825). Repairing the database can do you a favor. EaseUS MS SQL Recovery is a very professional and reliable SQL repair tool. It can recover database components (tables, triggers, indexes, keys, rules, and stored procedures) as well as recover deleted records from the SQL database. It supports MS SQL Server 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, and older versions. Follow the details below and fix your database error.

Step 1: Select the corrupted database for recovery

• Launch EaseUS MS SQL Recovery.
• Select the corrupted database file by clicking "Browse" (the two dots) or "Search".
• After selecting the file, click the "Repair" button to start the Analyzing process. 

Note: To use this software, you need to stop the SQL Server service.

Step 2: Repair the corrupted database

• The software displays all the recoverable items in a tree-like structure. The items are shown in a left pane.
• Select the desired component to be recovered. From the window, click the "Export" button. 

Step 3: Export to the database or as scripts

• Choose to export the database objects to database or export the items as scripts
• If you choose "Export to database", enter the information required and choose the target database.

• A window appears up asking you to provide credentials to connect to the server and the destination to save the recovered items. In order to begin the repairing process, click "OK". 

Note: Before clicking "OK", you need to restart the SQL Server service.

Though the EaseUS SQL repair tool should succeed in resolving the error, in the rare event that it can’t, you should then contact Microsoft customer support for professional assistance.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed SQL Server error 233 no process is on the other end of the pipe in detail, including error explanation, causes, and all the feasible solutions. If you run into this error, don't panic, utilize any methods above, i.e. enable Shared Memory, TCP/IP, and Named Pipe protocols to let SQL Server client connect to the server or use a reliable SQL recovery software to restore (.mdf and.ndf) files, fix database log files, or recover corrupted objects.

We hope this tutorial can help you to resolve the SQL login failed error 233.