Can't start sql server in single user mode

sql-server, sql-server-2008

Solution

Did you try:

NET STOP MSSQLSERVER

… give it a minute … 

NET START MSSQLSERVER /m

Problem

I'm trying to recover my local sql server's sa password. I read that I should put it in single user mode, and I did that. I added the -m; to the startup parameters. I don't have sql agent running, and I restarted the Sql Server. When I try: ``` sqlmd -S .\sqlexpress ``` I get the message: ``` Login failed for the user 'mydomain\myuser'. reason: server is in single user mode. only one administrator can connect at this time. ``` I also tried changing the startup parameter to: ``` -mSQLCMD ``` but I get the same error.

Original source