SQL Server Install Error

KEVIN SEGUIN 0 Reputation points
2026-07-09T21:27:55.0866667+00:00

I have tried to install SQL Server on two separate laptops. I've tried both developer and express versions. I keep getting the following message box and can't get it to install. On Widows 11

User's image

SQL Server | Other
SQL Server | Other

Additional SQL Server features and topics not covered by specific categories

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Deepesh Dhake 650 Reputation points
    2026-07-10T19:10:25.33+00:00

    Can you try:

    1. Cancel SQL setup.
    2. Uninstall all "Microsoft Visual C++ 2022 x64" entries via Settings then Apps.
    3. If uninstall fails, use the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter to force-remove each one.
    4. Install fresh: "Microsoft Visual C++ 2022 x64" or download https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe and run as admin.
    5. Reboot, rerun SQL Server setup.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

  2. AI answer

    2026-07-09T21:29:11.8533333+00:00

    The error dialog shows that the SQL Server setup is failing while trying to install or repair the dependency Microsoft Visual C++ 2022 x64 Minimum Runtime from a cached MSI path that is no longer available. SQL Server then cannot complete installation.

    To resolve this on Windows 11 and then rerun SQL Server setup:

    1. Uninstall the problematic Visual C++ runtime
      • Open Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features.
      • Look for entries like Microsoft Visual C++ 2022 X64 Minimum Runtime (and any obviously broken/duplicate entries for that version).
      • Uninstall them. If prompted, restart Windows.
    2. Install the latest Visual C++ Redistributable manually
      • Download and install the latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable for x64 from the Microsoft site (both x86 and x64 if desired).
      • After installation, restart Windows again.
    3. Run SQL Server setup as administrator and from a local file
      • Copy the SQL Server installer (Developer or Express) to a local folder (for example, C:\Temp\SQLSetup).
      • Right‑click the setup executable and choose Run as administrator.
      • Prefer the offline installer for Express/Developer rather than the basic web installer to avoid network/component download issues.
    4. If installation still fails
      • Check the SQL Server setup logs and error log for details:
        • For a default instance of SQL Server 2019, the error log is typically at: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\LOG\ERRORLOG.
        • For SQL Server 2022 Express default instance, it is typically at: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL16.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\LOG\ERRORLOG.
      • If the log shows the message “Wait on the Database Engine recovery handle failed” and mentions “256 misaligned reads”, this indicates the known Windows 11 disk sector‑size issue. In that case, follow the workarounds in the Microsoft article on troubleshooting SQL Server errors related to disk sector size greater than 4 KB.

    After these steps, rerun the SQL Server installer. If it still fails and the error log does not mention misaligned reads, review the ERRORLOG for the specific failure and address that cause.

    References:

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

    Was this answer helpful?

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.