How to stop a local SQL Server instance from command line or PowerShell? In this tutorial we’ll show you 5 simple ways to stop or start SQL Server service in SQL Server 2016/2014/2012/2005.

Method 1: Stop / Start SQL Server Service from Microsoft Services Console

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run box. Type services.msc and press Enter.
2. This will open the Microsoft Services console. Find the service called SQL Server (instant name) and then double-click on it.

   

3. In the Properties dialog box, you can see that the service name of my SQL Server instance is MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS. From there you can click the Stop button if your SQL Server service is running, or click the Start button to get the service up and running.

   

Method 2: Stop / Start SQL Server Service from Command Line

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt.
2. To stop a named SQL Server instance, type the following command. Replace SQLEXPRESS with the instance name.
   net stop MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS

   

   To start a named SQL Server instance, type:
   net start MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS

Method 3: Stop / Start SQL Server Service from SQL Server Configuration Manager

1. To get started, you need to open SQL Server Configuration Manager. In Windows Server 2008 or 2003, you can click Start > Programs -> Microsoft SQL Server > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Configuration Manager.
2. In the left pane of SQL Server Configuration Manager, click SQL Server Services. We can see all services in right pane. Right-click on SQL Server service and you can then select Stop or Start from the context menu.

   

Method 4: Stop / Start SQL Server Service from PowerShell

1. Open the PowerShell as administrator.
2. You can use the Start-Service cmdlet to stop your SQL Server service. Replace SQLEXPRESS with the instance name.
   Start-Service -Name 'MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS'

   

   Or use the Stop-Service cmdlet to start your SQL Server service.
   Stop-Service -Name 'MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS'

Method 5: Stop / Start SQL Server Service from SQL server Management Studio

1. Open SQL server Management Studio and connect to your SQL Server instance.
2. Right-click on the server in Object Explorer, you’ll have options to Stop, Start, Pause, Resume and Restart your SQL Server service. If we are not already connected, we can’t start a stopped instance.