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Resolving SQL Server Orphaned Users Issue Using Top Effective Ways

  Andrew Jackson
Written By Andrew Jackson
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Modified On December 18th, 2025
Reading Time 5 Min Read

One of the biggest challenges faced while moving or migrating a database is the SQL Server orphaned users issue. With this problem, it becomes much more complex for the database administrators to deal with the day-to-day tasks, further leading to disruptions in workflows. With the help of this article, we will discuss the common causes of the error and how to resolve them effectively.

Table of Content

Orphaned Users In SQL Server  – What It Is & Why It Occurs?

When a user is moved to a new server or database during a restore SQL Database or migration process, but the corresponding logins are missing or do not match, it results in orphaned users in SQL. Several reasons can lead to orphaned users or logins in the database, and further lead to several challenges while carrying out day-to-day tasks. We will now take a look at some of the common causes that result in SQL Server orphaned users. 

  • While restoring the SQL Server database to a different environment or SQL Server instance.
  • Using an improper or incorrect migration or database copying method results in orphaned users or logins. 
  • While attaching or detaching a SQL Server database without recreating the user logins first. 
  • Due to the deletion of the logins in the SQL Server, this further leads to users being orphaned in the database. 

These are some of the common reasons for the occurrence of user orphaned SQL Server. It becomes important for the users to resolve this issue so that it doesn’t affect their day-to-day tasks. We will now take a look at the solutions that will allow users to fix this issue and further make it easier for them to proceed with their tasks. 

Expert Way to Fix Orphaned Users in SQL Server

As we discussed a few causes that lead to orphaned users in the database. It is better to fix them using a professional solution to reduce the risks of permanent data loss. From the common causes, one of the reasons is due to migration or incorrect restore of the database. Now, this can be resolved by using an expert utility like SysTools SQL Server Migration Tool.

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This is an advanced utility that allows users to effectively migrate the database song with all the database objects and the users residing in it. The manual ways of resolving this issue are mainly troubleshooting ways and do not assure complete repair of the issue. Whereas the automated solution allows users to fix the issue in a much hassle-free way. Here are the quick ways to migrate the SQL Server database along with all its users safely:

  1. Install and run the tool.
  2. Select offline or online mode for the migration process.
  3. Preview the scanned database objects to proceed with migration.
  4.  Select the database objects to be migrated and click on the Export button.

How to Resolve SQL Server Orphaned Users Issue in a Hassle-Free Way?

Here are some of the ways that will allow the database administrators to resolve the error in a more secure and efficient way. These methods differ from case to case. We will go through these methods one by one and try to understand how they will help with fixing the issue. 

Method 1: By Remapping the Affected Users to Existing Logins

This method is helpful when the cause of the error occurrence is SID (Security Identifier) is missing. Users can easily fix the issue by remapping the orphaned SQL Server user to the existing login. Here is the command that will help with the same process. 

ALTER USER [USER_NAME] WITH LOGIN = [EXISTINGLOGIN];

This command will allow users to remap the user with the login. In case the error is caused by some other reason, this method won’t be as helpful in such situations. We will now take a look at the next method that will help with resolving the error more safely.

Method 2: Fix SQL Server Orphaned Users By Creating Missing Logins

This method requires the creation of a missing login to fix the issue. Below, we have mentioned how this can be done.

With the help of the given code, users can create a login in the database.

CREATE LOGIN [LOGIN_NAME]
WITH PASSWORD = 'NEWPASSWORD';
GO
ALTER USER [USER_NAME] WITH LOGIN = [LOGIN_NAME];

This command will help the user create a new login and further map it with the orphaned user in SQL Server database. This method is limits to helping in cases where the login is missing or does not exist due to accidental deletion in the database. Moving on to the next method, let’s see how it can help users resolve the error. 

Method 3: Delete And Recreate the SQL Server User Again

This method is helpful when all the other methods fail to fix the issue. It mainly drops the existing user and then recreates the user with new login and permissions. Additionally, it is generally a last resort and is only implemented when no other way helps. Here is the command to fix the issue using this method.

DROP USER [USER_NAME];
CREATE USER [USER_NAME] FOR LOGIN [LOGIN_NAME];

This command will help the user with dropping and re-creating the database user to continue the workflow. 

Conclusion

With the help of this technical write-up, we have discussed the SQL Server orphaned users. Furthermore, we have also learned the possible causes of the error that leads to workflow disruption. Lastly, we have mentioned the best ways to resolve the error more securely and safely to keep the workflow smooth.