ERROR 1067

Dan Kilpatrick 0 Reputation points
2026-04-28T18:24:02.25+00:00

I'M GETTING AN ERROR MESASGE 1067 WHEN I TRIED INSTALLING A PROGRAM. a SQL IS NOT STARTING.

I TRIED STARTING IT IN THE SYSTEM ANDTHAT DID NOT WORK.

SQL Server | Other
SQL Server | Other

Additional SQL Server features and topics not covered by specific categories

Answer recommended by moderator

AI answer

2026-04-28T18:24:21.6633333+00:00

Error 1067 means the SQL Server service tried to start and then terminated unexpectedly. The generic Services message is not enough; the exact cause must be taken from the SQL Server error log and Windows Event Viewer.

Follow these steps to diagnose and fix it:

  1. Check the exact startup error
    1. Open Event Viewer → Windows Logs → Application.
    2. Filter for Source = MSSQLSERVER (or the name of the SQL instance, e.g. MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS).
    3. Note the first error that appears at the time you try to start the service. That message (for example, missing file, access denied, invalid startup option, protocol issue, TLS/certificate issue) determines the fix.
  2. Check common SQL Server startup problems Use the error text from Event Viewer and compare with these common cases:
    • “The dependency service or group failed to start” – follow the guidance in the article referenced under that message in the SQL startup errors table.
    • “Error 1069: The service did not start due to a logon failure” – indicates the SQL Server service account credentials are wrong.
    • “Error 1067: The process terminated unexpectedly” – often appears when SQL Server cannot access required files (data, logs, error log) or when a path is invalid.
    The table in the SQL Server startup errors article maps the Services error text to the detailed troubleshooting article for that scenario.
  3. Verify the SQL Server binary and paths
    • If the Windows System log shows Event ID 7000 with text similar to “The system cannot find the file specified” for MSSQLSERVER, check that Sqlservr.exe still exists in the SQL Server installation folder.
    • If Sqlservr.exe is missing or renamed, repair the SQL Server installation using the documented repair procedure.
  4. Check for invalid startup options (Error 17112)
    • If the error log or Event Viewer shows Event ID 17112 with text like “An invalid startup option was supplied,” open SQL Server Configuration Manager → SQL Server Services → right‑click the instance → Properties → Startup Parameters.
    • Ensure only valid parameters are present, each separated correctly, and remove any invalid or malformed entries.
  5. Check for protocol/TLS/certificate issues (Error 17120 and related)
    • If Event Viewer shows Event ID 17120 or messages about background communication tasks or TLS, follow these checks:
      • Confirm SQL Server protocols (TCP/IP, Named Pipes) are correctly configured.
      • Ensure TLS configuration on the server matches the SQL Server version requirements.
      • If a certificate is configured, verify it is valid, correctly bound, and accessible to the SQL Server service account.
  6. Check for access denied to SQL folders (Error 5 / Event ID 7000)
    • If the error text includes “Access is denied” when starting the SQL Server service, the service account likely lacks permissions on the SQL Server installation or data folders.
    • Grant the SQL Server service account appropriate NTFS permissions on the SQL Server installation and data directories, then retry starting the service.
  7. After fixing the root cause
    • Retry starting the SQL Server service from Services or SQL Server Configuration Manager.
    • Then rerun the program installer that depends on SQL Server.

If the service still fails with 1067, the next step is to capture and review the exact MSSQLSERVER error message from Event Viewer or the SQL Server error log and then apply the matching article from the SQL Server startup errors list.

References:

AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.

1 additional answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Bruce (SqlWork.com) 85,456 Reputation points
    2026-04-28T18:47:47.1533333+00:00

    While the full log will give the true error, there are two common causes

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.