In this post, we’ll explore two ways to repair SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). You repair SSMS when you notice that SQL Server Management Studio has stopped working or is crashing.

It’s very rare that you see SSMS crashing on your computer while you are using it. For example, you may encounter an “SSMS error: SQL Server Management Studio has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.”

The issues could be directly related to SSMS installation or other dependency components. In rare cases, your Microsoft SQL management studio installation files are corrupted, and they require a repair or re-installation.

Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC
Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC

You should always use the latest version of SQL SSMS on your computer. There is an easy procedure that you can use to update your SQL Management Studio installation.

I have only once encountered the SSMS crash, and upon restarting my computer, it did not recur. Microsoft has published a nice article on how to get diagnostic data after a SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) crash.

The SSMS repair works in most situations because it basically uninstalls the old files and re-installs them. The first thing you should do to fix issues like the studio application crashing or shutting down suddenly is to repair the SSMS.

What is SQL Server Management Studio?

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for managing SQL infrastructure. You can manage your SQL Server and even your Azure SQL Database. SSMS provides tools to configure, monitor, and administer instances of SQL Server and databases.

Beginning with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 18.7, Azure Data Studio is automatically installed alongside SSMS.

Starting with SSMS version 18.7, the Azure Data Studio component is automatically installed along SQL Server Management Studio. Azure Data Studio is a cross-platform database tool for data professionals using on-premises and cloud data platforms on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

SQL Server Management Studio is a tool used by SQL developers and database admins who typically work on databases. The SSMS tool can connect to your remote SQL server and allow you to perform several tasks.

You can use SSMS to query, design, and manage your databases and data warehouses. These databases could be on your local computer or in the cloud.

Do SCCM administrators use SQL SSMS?

Yes, SCCM administrators typically use SQL Server Management Studio to connect to SQL Server and access the ConfigMgr database. Admins also run SQL queries against the CM database and get the information out of the database.

As a best practice, SCCM administrators shouldn’t log in to the SQL server to perform administrative tasks daily. Instead, most of the tasks can be managed by installing SSMS on individual laptops.

You can also download the latest version of the SSMS installer, package and deploy the SQL Server Management studio using SCCM or Configuration Manager. When you install SQL Server 2019 for ConfigMgr, you have to manually download and install SQL Server Management Studio.

Download Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

You can download the latest version of SQL Server Management Studio from the Microsoft site. Microsoft keeps updating the SSMS versions, and it is recommended that you download the latest one.

There is a preview version of SSMS available on the download page. Preview versions of SSMS aren’t stable and shouldn’t be installed on production servers or workstations.

To install SQL Management Studio, run the SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe file and follow the wizard for installation. A reboot may be required to complete the installation of SSMS.

How to Repair SQL Server Management Studio

To repair SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):

  • Close the SSMS application (if it is running).
  • On the computer, go to Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Programs and Features.
  • From the list of programs, right-click SQL Server Management Studio and click Uninstall.
  • Click Repair to begin the SSMS installation repair.
Repair SQL Server Management Studio
Repair SQL Server Management Studio

You get three options when you uninstall SQL Server Management Studio.

  • Repair: Select this option to repair the SQL Server Management Studio installation on the computer.
  • Uninstall: Select this option to uninstall SQL Server Management Studio from the computer.
  • Close: Cancels the repair SSMS or uninstall process.

Click Repair.

Repair SQL Server Management Studio
Repair SQL Server Management Studio

After a few minutes, the SSMS repair is complete. Your computer must restart after you repair SSMS. Click Restart.

Restart Computer to complete SSMS Repair
Restart Computer to complete SSMS Repair

SSMS Setup Help Switches

You can also repair SSMS using the command line. The command-line switches should be used only by expert users who know about the management studio and SQL server.

The SSMS-Setup executable actually provides additional switches. You can find the SSMS setup help options by running the SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe /?. Launch the command prompt as an administrator. Run the command SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe /? to find all the switches.

  • /install: Install SSMS
  • /repair: repair SSMS install
  • /uninstall: uninstall SSMS
  • /passive: displays minimal UI with no prompts
  • /quiet: displays no UI and prompts
  • /norestart: suppress any restarts
  • /log: prefix for SSMS setup logs
  • /SSMSInstallRoot: specify the path to SSMS location
Repair SSMS using Command Line
Repair SSMS using Command Line

Repair SSMS using Command Line

Use the following steps to repair SSMS using the command line:. Launch the command prompt as administrator and run the command

SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe /repair

The repair option actually brings up the window or UI prompt where you get options to repair and uninstall SSMS. Click the repair option to repair SQL Server Management Studio.

Repair SSMS using Command Line
Repair SSMS using Command Line

If you don’t want any UI prompts and want to suppress the reboot after SSMS installation, use the command.

SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe /repair /quiet /norestart
Repair SQL Server Management Studio using Command Line
Repair SQL Server Management Studio using Command Line

SSMS Repair Video Tutorial

Here is a video that covers how to repair SQL Server Management Studio.

Still Need Help?

If you need further assistance on the above article or want to discuss other technical issues, check out some of these options.

Prajwal Desai

Prajwal Desai is a technology expert and 10 time Dual Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) with a focus on Microsoft Intune, SCCM, Windows 365, Enterprise Mobility, and Windows. He is a renowned author, speaker, & community leader, known for sharing his expertise & knowledge through his blog, YouTube, conferences, webinars etc.