SQL Server Installation Errors & Solutions
A complete walkthrough to fixing the top 10 installation errors and setting up your environment correctly the first time.
📺 Watch: Complete Installation Masterclass
Before you troubleshoot, ensure you are following the correct installation path. This video by SQL School covers the entire setup process for SQL Server 2025, including feature selection and service account configuration.
🛠️ Top 10 Common Installation Errors
If your setup has failed, find your error code below. These solutions are updated for modern Windows Server and Windows 10/11 environments.
Category 1: System Prerequisites & Updates!
1. Rule “KB2919355 Installation” Failed
Symptoms: The installer halts at the “Rule Check” phase with a specific failure regarding KB2919355.
The Solution
This is a mandatory Windows update that the SQL installer engine relies on.
- Download Windows KB2919355 (64-bit) from the Microsoft Catalog.
- Install the update and restart your machine immediately.
- Re-run the SQL Server setup only after the reboot.
2. Service Dependency: “WMI Not Found”
Symptoms: A popup alert stating “WMI: Not found” appears during the system configuration check.
The Solution
Your Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) service is corrupted or disabled.
- Run
services.mscand ensure the WMI service is running. - If it fails, run a full Windows Update to repair core system files.
3. Setup Requires .NET Framework
Symptoms: Error: “Setup requires Microsoft .NET Framework to be installed.”
The Solution
SQL Server 2025 requires a modern .NET runtime (unlike older versions which needed .NET 4.0). Ensure you have .NET Framework 4.7.2 or higher installed. On Windows 10/11, this is best done by running “Check for Updates” in system settings.
Category 2: Component Corruption (MSXML & COM)
4 & 5. Package Failures (DTS_E_SAVEPACKAGEFILE / 0xC001100F)
Symptoms: The installation progresses but crashes when trying to save shared features or packages, displaying hexadecimal codes like 0xC001100F.
The Solution
These errors point to a corrupted MSXML parser installation on your OS.
- Run the System File Checker: Open CMD as Admin and type
sfc /scannow. - Re-register MSXML libraries via the command prompt.
- Ensure no “Pending File Rename” operations are stuck in the registry.
6. Library Not Registered (0x8002801D)
Symptoms: “Exception from HRESULT: 0x8002801D (TYPE_E_LIBNOTREGISTERED)”
This is a COM object registration failure. It typically resolves after applying the latest Cumulative Update for your version of Windows Server or Windows 10/11.
Category 3: Permissions & Access Control
7. “Access is Denied”
Symptoms: The setup wizard closes abruptly with a generic denial message.
The Solution
Always right-click the installer and select Run as Administrator. If that fails, your account is missing specific policies (see below).
8 & 9. Missing Privileges (SeSecurityPrivilege)
Symptoms: “Rule ‘Setup account privileges’ failed” or “Missing SeSecurityPrivilege”.
Cause: The user running the installer must have “Granular” rights that regular Administrators often lack by default.
The Solution
Go to Local Security Policy (secpol.msc) > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment.
Add your user account to these three specific policies:
- Backup files and directories (SeBackupPrivilege)
- Debug Programs (SeDebugPrivilege)
- Manage auditing and security log (SeSecurityPrivilege)
Note: You must log off and log back in for these rights to take effect.
Category 4: The “Nuclear” Option
10. Repairing a “Broken” Installation
Scenario: The installation failed halfway, and now you can neither uninstall the instance via Control Panel nor reinstall it.
The Solution
Use the command-line repair tool. Do not wipe your OS yet!
Steps: Launch Command Prompt as Administrator, navigate to your SQL Server installation media folder, and run the command above.
Master 2025 with SQL School
Don’t let installation hurdles stop your progress. With the environment set, you are ready to explore the new AI capabilities of SQL Server 2025.
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About Mr. Sai Phanindra
- Microsoft Certified Trainer with 20 plus years of real-time IT experience
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- Trained more than 25,000 professionals across India and abroad
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