How to Resolve SQL Server Error 1418? Best Ways Explained

Working in the SQL Server environment means, you have to be prepared at all times for various errors. One of these errors is SQL Server Error 1418, an error that is associated with Database Mirroring. So what is this database mirroring and how is it connected to this SQL error? 

We will be learning about all that here. Along with the explanations of both these terms, we will also take a look and understand the causes and solutions for this error 1418 in SQL Server. 

What is Database Mirroring in SQL Server?

Database mirroring in SQL Server means that the primary database has created its mirror database. By mirror database, we mean that the primary database has its backup on the mirror database. This allows a single database to have its copies on multiple SQL Server instances. 

As we can now clearly understand, the primary database creates its backup on other SQL Server instances so that the data can still be safe if the primary database is corrupted/damaged. In database mirroring, both the primary and the mirror databases are fully synchronized, so that data integrity is not compromised. 

There are certain benefits of database mirroring in the SQL Server, here are a few of them:

Higher Data Availability

With database mirroring, even if the primary database becomes unavailable for any reason, the mirror database will remain available to the database administrators. This will benefit the organizations by securing their data even in times of database corruption.  

Data Security

Database mirroring also offers better data security, as the mirror databases act as the on-time backups of the primary databases. The mirror databases have all the data backed up from the primary database, so this gives users the benefit of data security for their crucial data.

Improved Data Recovery

When encountering a system failure, or server crash, where the primary database is affected, this mirror database then acts as the primary database continuing the smooth workflow of the organization. This helps the database administrators carry out their operations even when the primary database is inaccessible. 

How Database Mirroring is Linked to the SQL Server Error 1418?

So far we have understood what database mirroring is and what are its benefits. But now we will take a look at how the error 1418 is linked to database mirroring. If we talk about what SQL Error 1418 is, this error generally occurs when there is a connection or configuration issue during the database mirroring. If the primary server is unable to connect with the mirror server, this error might occur. Now there can be numerous reasons for the error 1418 to occur, but now we know that the primary cause is an issue during the database mirroring process. 

Here are some of the other reasons that might lead to the occurrence of this error.

Incorrect Server Network Address

If there are network issues like the server ports are misconfigured or the network address to the mirror database is incorrect, this will create challenges in establishing a connection. These misconfigured connections and issues further result in the occurrence of the SQL Server Error 1418.

Permission Issues in the SQL Server Service Account

The primary database and the mirror database, both are required to have all the required permissions to carry out database mirroring successfully. Missing of necessary permissions can lead to the occurrence of SQL Error 1418.

Issues with the SQL Authentication Mode

If the databases involved in the mirroring process are not properly authenticated, this may create challenges while carrying out the mirroring process. Incorrect credentials or incorrect authentication mode can also cause the error 1418 in the SQL Server.

All these are the factors that result in the occurrence of this database mirroring error in SQL Server. To resolve the error, we will now move to the solutions that can help users eliminate this error efficiently. 

How to Fix the SQL Server Error 1418?

As we studied earlier, many reasons cause the error 1418 to occur. Hence, there are multiple solutions to resolve the error as well. We will take a look at these solutions one by one to understand how they work and how they will help in resolving the error. The first solution to repair the database mirroring error is by verifying the configurations for the server connections.

Method – 1: By Checking The Connection Configurations Using SSMS

For a successful connection between the servers, it is necessary to verify the configurations between them. Here, we are supposed to check if the database has connection permissions granted or not. With the help of the SQL Server Management Studio, we will be able to check this. The steps for verifying the connection are as follows:

1. Open SSMS and then connect it to the required SQL Server instance. 
2. Next, right-click on the connected server instance and then select the properties option.
3. From properties, locate and click on the connections option.
4. Now, in the displayed window, verify whether the ALLOW REMOTE CONNECTIONS TO THIS SERVER is checked or not. If not, click on the checkbox to enable it.
5. Click on the OK button once the connection is ensured. 

This method will ensure that there is no issue with the connection configuration, hence it reduces the risk of error occurrence if the error has occurred due to a connection issue. 

Moving on to the next method, let’s see how it will help repair error 1418. 

Method – 2: Check The Authentication Mode 

One reason for the occurrence of SQL Server Error 1418 is the incorrect authentication mode in the instances. Here, we will check the authentication modes to ensure that there is an issue with the authentication that might be triggering the database mirroring error. The steps to check the authentication mode are as follows:

1. Open SSMS and connect it to the SQL Server Instance.
2. Right-click on the SQL Server instance and go to properties.
3. Now, go to the security option, and from there verify if the SQL Server And Windows Authentication Mode is enabled or not. 

This option allows login from both authentication modes.  

With this method, you can allow both instances to have configured authentication modes for SQL logins. It will help you fix the SQL error 1418 if caused due to misconfigured authentication modes. Proceeding with the next method, we will now see how an advanced solution can help resolve this error. 

Advanced Solution To Repair SQL Server Database Mirroring Error

One of the possibilities for the error to occur is a corrupted database file. If the error has occurred due to corruption, then it can be repaired by repairing the corrupted database files. With the help of an advanced solution, you can easily get rid of the corruption and recover the database files for efficient database mirroring. The tool we have tried and now suggesting is the SQL Database Repair Tool.

Let’s now take a look at the steps to how the tool works.  

1. Install and launch the software and click on the Open button to load the MDF files in the software.
2. Once added, you will be provided with two scan options, Quick and Advanced Scan modes, choose one based on the severity of the corruption. 
3. After the scan, a preview of all the recovered files will be displayed. You can check the repaired database files from there. 
4. After previewing, click on the export button to export the repaired files to the SQL database. 
5. Enter the necessary credentials, and then click on the Export button to repair and resolve the SQL Server Error 1418.

Like this, you can repair the corrupted database files and fix the error 1418 in SQL Server as well. These methods will help you to resolve the error easily and conveniently. 

Conclusion 

With the help of this article, we have understood the challenges created by the SQL Server Error 1418. We have also discussed the reasons that led to this error during database mirroring in the SQL Server. Additionally, we have mentioned the solutions that will help in resolving these errors.