How to Unlock SQL Server SA Account?

What is SQL Server SA Account?

The SQL Server SA account, short for the System Administrator account, is a built-in account in SQL Server for its management. It is a member of the sysadmin fixed server role that grants permission for activities in SQL Server. It is created during installation, and the account can be easily enabled or disabled.

However, the disabled logins still can own databases, schemas, jobs, and more. This account is often the target of malicious users. Therefore, you need to create a strong password for protection. Despite this, the account can be locked due to several reasons. Thus, users must find a way to unlock SQL Server SA account.

Reasons for SQL Server SA Account Locked Out

There are various reasons why the system administrator gets locked out, such as:

• You forgot the SA login password or your SA account is deactivated.
• Unintentional removal of all login members of the sysadmin fixed server role.
• Elimination of all Windows group members under sysadmin fixed server role.
• The user of login members does not exist or is no more in the company.
• Enabling the option of “Enforce password policy, your company has utilized account lockout after multiple login attempts.”

Therefore, you should remember these reasons to prevent the issue of your SA account getting locked. Now, let’s move to open the SQL Server SA account.

Solutions to Unlock SQL Server SA Account

There are two methods to resolve the account being locked out or disabled. The first way is by a manual method and the other is using a professional tool. The detailed step-by-step procedure is given as follows:

Disable Password Enforcement Policy to Unlock SA Account

In this method, use Windows authentication to log into SQL Server Management Studio. For this, follow the below steps:

1. Launch SQL Server Management Studio and log in by choosing Windows Authentication
   
2. Navigate to folders: Security >> Logins >> SA, and right-click the SA account. Select Properties.
   
3. A new window of Login Properties will pop up. Choose General, deselect the box of Enforce password policy, and click OK.
   
4. Go to Status, check the box in front of Login is locked out is not selected.
   

Therefore, now you can easily log into the SA account of SQL Server.

Use Automated Tool to Unlock SQL Server SA Account

There is another way to get rid of the SQL Server SA locked-up account. It is by using the SysInfo SQL Server Password Recovery Tool. From this tool, you can reset the password in case you have lost or forgotten the password. It provides an option to check the list of users for the file. Also, this comprehensive utility ensures to instantly unlock SQL server accounts safely. It has some excellent features, such as:

• Allows to set new passwords for accounts in SQL Server by replacing the original password.
• Successfully changes the Multilingual password of MDF files
• Supportable with all the older and latest versions of MS SQL Server.

Steps to Unlock SA Account by Changing Password

1. Launch the tool as an administrator on your Windows system.
2. Click the (...) icon to browse and add the MDF files.
   
3. Select the SA account user for which you want to reset the password.
   
4. Lastly, type a new password in the change password box and click the Change Password button.
   
5. Once the process to set a new password for the user completes, click OK to finish and exit.

Now, you can easily unlock your SA account with the newly created password.

Conclusion

This blog briefed about the SA account and the reasons for the SA account being locked out. Further, the manual, as well as an expert solution, is provided to unlock SQL Server SA account. You can choose any method wisely that suits your situation the best.