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Databasemail.exe not working on Windows 2012, Running SQL2017
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DebayanBhattacharya-5228
1
Reputation point
Hi, I have an SQL2017 server installed in my machine and I have admin access to it. I've configured databasemail in my instance.
Ensured:
> Remote login is enabled in the database
> .NET 3.5 is installed on the server
> We are able to send emails using the same SMTP server through powershell
Observation:
> "exec msdb..sysmail_help_status_sp" gives an output of "STARTED"
> test emails are always getting queued and never processed
> even if we delete unsent items, "exec msdb..sysmail_help_queue_sp" gives 44 as length for mail column and this keeps increasing the more test mails we send. State is always "INACTIVE"
> Double clicking databasemail.exe starts the process and stops immediately. Starting it from command prompt gives the error:The type initializer for 'Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlIMail.Server.Common.Logger' threw an exception.
> Running databasemail.exe as an administrator logs an event in the applications event log as follow (and notice how in the event viewer log, the connection parameter has an empty server name. how do I fix it?)
Log Name: Application
Source: DatabaseMail
Date: 9/24/2020 2:32:44 PM
Event ID: 0
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: <<COMPUTERNAME>>
Description:
1) Exception Information
Exception Type: Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlIMail.Server.Common.BaseException
Message: There was an error on the connection. Reason: A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server), connection parameters: Server Name: ., Database Name: msdb
Data: System.Collections.ListDictionaryInternal
TargetSite: Void OpenConnection(Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Common.SqlConnectionInfo)
HelpLink: NULL
Source: DatabaseMailEngine
HResult: -2146232832
StackTrace Information
at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlIMail.Server.DataAccess.ConnectionManager.OpenConnection(SqlConnectionInfo connectionInfo)
at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlIMail.IMailProcess.QueueItemProcesser.ProcessQueueItems(String dbName, String dbServerName, Int32 lifetimeMinimumSec, LogLevel loggingLevel, Byte[] encryptionKey, Int32 connectionTimeout)
2) Exception Information
Exception Type: System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException
Errors: System.Data.SqlClient.SqlErrorCollection
ClientConnectionId: 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
Class: 20
LineNumber: 0
Number: 2
Procedure: NULL
Server:
State: 0
Source: .Net SqlClient Data Provider
ErrorCode: -2146232060
Message: A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server)
Data: System.Collections.ListDictionaryInternal
TargetSite: Boolean TryGetConnection(System.Data.Common.DbConnection, UInt32, Boolean, Boolean, System.Data.Common.DbConnectionOptions, System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionInternal ByRef)
HelpLink: NULL
HResult: -2146232060
StackTrace Information
at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionPool.TryGetConnection(DbConnection owningObject, UInt32 waitForMultipleObjectsTimeout, Boolean allowCreate, Boolean onlyOneCheckConnection, DbConnectionOptions userOptions, DbConnectionInternal& connection)
at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionPool.TryGetConnection(DbConnection owningObject, TaskCompletionSource1 retry, DbConnectionOptions userOptions, DbConnectionInternal& connection) at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionFactory.TryGetConnection(DbConnection owningConnection, TaskCompletionSource1 retry, DbConnectionOptions userOptions, DbConnectionInternal oldConnection, DbConnectionInternal& connection)
at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionInternal.TryOpenConnectionInternal(DbConnection outerConnection, DbConnectionFactory connectionFactory, TaskCompletionSource1 retry, DbConnectionOptions userOptions) at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection.TryOpenInner(TaskCompletionSource1 retry)
at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection.TryOpen(TaskCompletionSource`1 retry)
at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection.Open()
at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlIMail.Server.DataAccess.ConnectionManager.OpenConnection(SqlConnectionInfo connectionInfo)
3) Exception Information
Exception Type: System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception
NativeErrorCode: 2
ErrorCode: -2147467259
Message: The system cannot find the file specified
Data: System.Collections.ListDictionaryInternal
TargetSite: NULL
HelpLink: NULL
Source: NULL
HResult: -2147467259
I've tried everything that I can think of:
> ensured I have access privileges to databasemail.exe
> restarted SQL services several times
> recreated profiles and accounts (with the same SMTP server)
> Enabled NamedPipes
> Remote login to the database instance is possible
Any ideas or solutions are highly appreciated!!! This is causing a pain in our environment and we need to enable databasemail feature.
History
> The database was earlier hosted under SQL 2008, and it is migrated to SQL 2017 now. the DBs work fine.
> Ports we are using "AND CANNOT BE CHANGED" are different from default ports
3 answers
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Tom Phillips 17,741 Reputation points2020-09-25T19:05:07.3+00:00 -
DebayanBhattacharya-5228 1 Reputation point
2020-09-28T06:00:35.577+00:00 Hi Tom, thanks for your suggestion. In answer to your questions:
- Permissions: I am a sysadmin and have no permission issues, I cross checked databasemail.exe inside binn folder and found all relevant permissions are there too
- Is database mail enabled: Yes (Database Mail XPs : 0 1 1 1)
- Are users properly configured to send mail: Yes
- Is database mail started: The command EXEC msdb.dbo.sysmail_help_status_sp; gives an output of 'STARTED' but I don't find databasemail.exe running in the task manager. Instead, I find plenty of security logs of process creation and termination (within few seconds of creation) relating to databasemail.exe
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Tom Phillips 17,741 Reputation points
2020-09-28T11:53:45.193+00:00 Did you follow the rest of the document?
What does this show?
sysmail_help_queue_sp @queue_type = 'Mail' ; -
DebayanBhattacharya-5228 1 Reputation point
2020-09-28T12:04:00.857+00:00 Yes, I did. Sending emails from powershell through the same SMTP server works.
- there are no failed mail logs. In fact, there are no logs of any error/warning other than a bunch of 'database mail queue started/stopped' and 'activation successful'
- output of sysmail_help_queue_sp @queue_type = 'Mail' ;
mail 45 INACTIVE 2020-09-28 09:22:03.390 2020-09-28 09:22:03.380
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AmeliaGu-MSFT 13,986 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor2020-09-28T05:45:51.107+00:00 Hi @DebayanBhattacharya-5228 ,
Could you please check if SQL Server Browser is running?
In addition, you can try to create alias for SQL Server in SQL Server Configuration Manager.
Please refer to the following similar threads which might help:
Database Mail Error
Unable to send mail from SQL server using DatabaseMailBest Regards,
Amelia
If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.
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DebayanBhattacharya-5228 1 Reputation point
2020-09-28T06:09:45.94+00:00 Hi @AmeliaGu-MSFT , thanks for your suggestion. I tried the alias method and creating a databasemail.exe.config, but none of them worked. I did find that:
- When I try to run databasemail.exe program manually, it just starts and stops. nothing else
- When I try to run databasemail.exe from command prompt, it shows a "The type initializer for 'Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlIMail.Server.Common.Logger' threw an exception." error
- When I try to run it as an administrator, databasemail.exe runs for around 2 minutes, and generates a log in event viewer that I have supplied in the question itself
- Also, even though the command EXEC msdb.dbo.sysmail_help_status_sp; gives an output of 'STARTED', I don't find databasemail.exe running in the task manager. Instead, I find plenty of security logs of process creation and termination (within few seconds of creation) relating to databasemail.exe
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AmeliaGu-MSFT 13,986 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
2020-09-28T09:14:03.267+00:00 Hi @DebayanBhattacharya-5228 ,
Thanks for your reply.
Could you please check the database mail log to see if there are any error message?select * from msdb..sysmail_event_logBest Regards,
Amelia -
DebayanBhattacharya-5228 1 Reputation point
2020-09-28T09:24:15.693+00:00 Hi @AmeliaGu-MSFT
Sysmail event logs contain a bulk of "Activation Successful" messages and some "Mail queue was started by" and
immediately followed by "mail queue was stopped by" messages.Point to note: When I am executing exec msdb..sysmail_stop_sp then a log is generated as "Mail queue was stopped by <username>" log and then I tried executing exec msdb..sysmail_start_sp and then a log "Mail queue was started by <username>" and two "Activation Successful" messages are appearing in the log.
Apart from these 3 kind of logs, there are no other logs generated
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AmeliaGu-MSFT 13,986 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
2020-09-28T09:48:11.647+00:00 Hi @DebayanBhattacharya-5228 ,
Could you please try to send a test e-mail in SSMS?
In the To box, type the e-mail name of the recipient of the test e-mail.
Then use
select * from msdb..sysmail_event_logto see if there are any error.
Best Regards,
Amelia -
DebayanBhattacharya-5228 1 Reputation point
2020-09-28T10:14:40.48+00:00 Hi @AmeliaGu-MSFT : This is a bit tricky one so please read it carefully
- The server has two local users, User_A and User_B (both of which have Windows Authentication login enabled)
- When tried to expand Management dropdown inside SSMS as User_A, I can see the entire dropdown and have tried to send test emails from there. The result is "Mail queue started by <username>" and nothing else
- When tried to expand Management dropdown inside SSMS as User_B, it gives the below error:
TITLE: Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
------------------------------
There is already an open DataReader associated with this Command which must be closed first. (System.Data)
------------------------------
BUTTONS:
OK
------------------------------
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AmeliaGu-MSFT 13,986 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
2020-09-29T06:11:44.487+00:00 Hi @DebayanBhattacharya-5228 ,
What is your SQL Server service account?
Please use the following query to see the sent status of the test mail:select * from sysmail_allitems
Please double check to make sure .NET Framework 3.5 is enabled.
Best Regards,
Amelia -
DebayanBhattacharya-5228 1 Reputation point
2020-09-29T06:44:00.237+00:00 - SQL service account used : "NT SERVICE\MSSQL$SQL2017" where SQL2017 is the instance name
- output of sysmail_allitems: all are unsent. sent_account_id is also null. table is too large to post it here.
- .NET versions: 3.5 is installed. List of installed .NET framework below:
v2.0.50727 2.0.50727.4927
v3.0 3.0.30729.4926
Windows Communication Foundation 3.0.4506.4926
Windows Presentation Foundation 3.0.6920.4902
v3.5 3.5.30729.4926
Client 4.7.03062 461814
Full 4.7.03062 461814
Client 4.0.0.0 -
DebayanBhattacharya-5228 1 Reputation point
2020-09-29T06:48:01.187+00:00 
@AmeliaGu-MSFT attached screenshot above
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AmeliaGu-MSFT 13,986 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
2020-09-29T07:06:03.767+00:00 Hi @DebayanBhattacharya-5228 ,
Thanks for your reply.
A status of unsent indicates that the Database Mail external program has not yet processed the e-mail message.
Could you please check database mail log to see if there are any error message?
Best Regards,
Amelia -
DebayanBhattacharya-5228 1 Reputation point
2020-09-29T07:32:27.513+00:00 Hi @AmeliaGu-MSFT
I think this might be because the databasemail.exe itself is not running as I mentioned earlier, in spite of executing sysmail_start_sp successfully. even in task manager, I cannot find databasemail.exe to be running.Maybe we need to revisit the below points again:
- Databasemail.exe runs briefly when double clicked on it and exits automatically
- When ran as administrator, it shows a black screen for around 15-20 seconds and closes automatically
- after closing, an error log is generated in the event viewer, which is the only event viewer log I have shared in this question.
- When trying to execute databasemail.exe from command prompt, it gives an "The type initializer for 'Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlIMail.Server.Common.
Logger' threw an exception" error
Also:
databasemail log shows a bunch of "activation successful" and "mail queue started/stopped" logsLet me know if you need any other information.
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DebayanBhattacharya-5228 1 Reputation point
2020-09-29T07:51:55.46+00:00 Also, @AmeliaGu-MSFT How do I specify server name and database port number on databasemail.exe.config file?
Reason I ask: according to this article below, databasemail was not working when SQL was listening on non default ports. the solution apparently happens to be specifying server name and port number in databasemail.exe.config. Any thoughts on how to do that? Much help!
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AmeliaGu-MSFT 13,986 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
2020-09-29T08:21:24.27+00:00 Hi @DebayanBhattacharya-5228 ,
Thanks for your reply.--Databasemail.exe runs briefly when double clicked on it and exits automatically.
When there are e-mail messages to be processed, Database Mail uses Service Broker activation to start the external program (DatabaseMail.exe). If there are no e-mail messages to be processed, the DatabaseMail.exe will be shutting down automatically.
--When trying to execute databasemail.exe from command prompt, it gives an "The type initializer for 'Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlIMail.Server.Common.Logger' threw an exception" error.
It seems this error is related to .NET Framework. Please refer to this thread which might help.--databasemail.exe.config
Please refer to:
SQL DATABASE MAIL NOT WORKING
databasemail.exe.config(a text file)
In addition, could you please try to use .NET Framework 4.6?Best Regards,
Amelia-
DebayanBhattacharya-5228 1 Reputation point
2020-09-29T09:31:29.473+00:00 Hi @AmeliaGu-MSFT ,
relating to databasemail.exe.config - I found the databaseservername to have value "."
Should I change it to my server name or are there no modifications necessary?By the way, thank you for all your help on this
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DebayanBhattacharya-5228 1 Reputation point
2020-09-29T09:55:14.367+00:00 Also @AmeliaGu-MSFT there are no 'The database mail process started' log in the entire event logs, even though the queue has 45+ unsent emails
The server already has .NET 4.5 and 4.7
--When trying to execute databasemail.exe from command prompt, it gives an "The type initializer for 'Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlIMail.Server.Common.Logger' threw an exception" error.
- For this, I found no solution mentioned in the thread.. Are you aware of any?
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AmeliaGu-MSFT 13,986 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
2020-09-30T08:23:41.577+00:00 Hi @DebayanBhattacharya-5228 ,
Sorry for my delay.
Should I change it to my server name or are there no modifications necessary?
Yes, you can change it to server name. Please make sure the SQL Server Service account have enough permission to MSSQL\Binn directory.
execute databasemail.exe from command prompt.
Could you please share us the command you used?
The DatabaseMail.exe.config in my SQL Server 2017 instance is as follows：<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> <configuration> <appSettings> <add key="DatabaseServerName" value="." /> <add key="DatabaseName" value="msdb" /> </appSettings> <startup> <supportedRuntime version="v4.0" sku=".NETFramework,Version=v4.5" /> </startup> </configuration>Best Regards,
Amelia
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