Fix “Cannot Open Database Requested By The Login SQL Server” Error Effectively

While working in the SQL Server environment, it becomes important for the users to have proper authentication and authorization in the database. If not, they might encounter errors like cannot open database requested by the login SQL Server. Such errors cause further challenges with users as they restrict them from performing crucial operations in the database or accessing the required files. Here, in this write, we will learn the most common causes of this error and further find the best ways to resolve the error easily. Let’s begin by understanding the error first. 

Understanding the ‘Cannot Open Database Requested’ Error

As we can assume by the name, this error specifies that the database being requested for access cannot be opened in SQL Server. This error is mainly an authentication error in the database and can be caused due to several reasons. Even if the user has correctly entered the credentials for login, the SQL Server doesn’t grant the permission for the specified databases. So far, we can understand that the possible causes for this error might be an authentication, permission, or configuration issue in the database. When the error occurs, the error message might look like this:

Msg 4060, Level 11, State 1
Cannot open database requested by the login. The login failed.

There are several causes that can lead to this issue. We will take a closer look at these causes now to understand the issue better. 

What Causes Cannot Open Database Requested by the Login SQL Error?

Here, we will take a look at the most common causes that lead to the occurrence of this error. 

• If the database required to be accessed is offline or not accessible at that point, it can lead to an error. 
• The next cause for the error 4060 in SQL Server is due to database unavailability. 
• In case the database required for the operations does not have the required login access or sufficient permissions, it can also become one of the causes for the error. 
• Orphaned users in the databases also become one of the causes to encounter the ‘cannot open database requested by the login login failed for user’ error. 
• One of the common reasons to this error is also possible corruption in the database. This can lead to not only Error 4060 in the database, but also to many more challenges for the users. 

With these causes, it becomes complex for the users to access the database or perform the required operations in the database. To resolve such issues and effectively access the database, it is important for the users to use the best solutions. We will now take a closer look at the best approaches to resolving this error. 

How to Resolve SQL Server Error 4060? Best Ways Explained

Most of the solutions we are going to implement to resolve this issue are troubleshooting methods. These solutions can help users determine and repair the issue temporarily, but still don’t guarantee the fix of the error. Let’s take a look at these methods and then find if there is any permanent fix for the error. 

Method 1: Bring the Database Online to Fix the Issue

In case the error has occurred due to the database being offline or inaccessible, it is important to bring the database back online. For this, the user must follow the given steps:

1. Firstly, connect with any other database.
2. Check the status of the desired database. 
3. If the database status is offline, set the database back online for efficient results. 

This will allow the SQL Server to connect to the specified database by resolving the error efficiently. Moving on to the next method to see how it helps users to resolve the issue.

Method 2: Resolve the SQL Error 4060 By Changing the Default Login’s Database

In this method to resolve the error, we will try to fix the issue by changing the login’s default database. This method helps if the specified login does not have access to the desired database, and further shows an error while accessing. Below are the steps on how the error can be resolved:

1. The first step is to log in to the database using the sysadmin account. 
2. Then, set the default database to the master database.
3. Lastly, connect to the database again using the login that was affected. 

This method allows users to efficiently resolve the issue with the SQL Server logins. Now, let’s move to the next method. 

Method 3: Fix the Error by Granting Required Permissions to Login

This method is helpful when the error occurs due to insufficient permissions in the database. The way to resolve the error that occurred due to this cause is by granting crucial permissions. Here are the steps for the same:

1. The first step is to switch to the database to the desired database in SQL Server. 
2. The next step is to create a database user for the specified login. 
3.  Lastly, grant required and necessary roles, such as db_owner or db_reader. 

These steps will help the users access the data and the database more effectively. We will now take a look at the next approach to fix the cannot open database requested by the login SQL Server error in the database. 

Method 4: Repair Orphaned Users in the Database to Resolve the Error

This is another cause that can lead to the error in the SQL Server database. Orphaned users in SQL Server databases can occur due to migration or attach detach operations in SQL database and are a common cause for several errors encountered by the users. Hence, to resolve the error completely, it becomes important for the users to find and repair these orphaned users. Below are the steps to fix the SQL Server error 4060 if occurred due to this cause.

1. Check and identify the SQL Server orphan users. 
2. Resolve the issue by detecting the cause for orphan users. 
3. Next, check and verify the access of the users.

This will help resolve the error safely and securely. These are a few methods that will allow the users and database administrators to carry out their day to day tasks. 

Conclusion

With the help of this technical write-up, we have discussed and learned thoroughly about the cannot open database requested by the login SQL Server error. Along with the causes for the error, we also discussed how the error can be resolved effectively using the best ways possible.