How to: Pause and Resume an Instance of SQL Server (net Commands)

The Microsoft SQL Server service can be paused and resumed using Microsoft Windows net commands.

To pause the default instance of SQL Server

  • From a command prompt, enter the following command:

    net pause "SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER)"

To pause a named instance of SQL Server

  • From a command prompt, enter one of the following commands. Replace instancename with the name of the instance you want to manage.

    net pause "SQL Server (instancename)"

    -or-

    **net pause MSSQL$**instancename

To resume a paused default instance of SQL Server

  • From a command prompt, enter the following command:

    net continue MSSQLSERVER

To resume a paused named instance of SQL Server

  • From a command prompt, enter one of the following commands. Replace instancename with the name of the instance you want to manage.

    net continue "SQL Server (instancename)"

    -or-

    **net continue MSSQL$**instancename

    Note

    An instance of SQL Server started from the command line or with startup options cannot be paused or resumed unless it was started as a Windows service.