Error A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server

Cannot connect to ‘xxxxxx’

“A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 2)”

Error Snapshot given below:

Cause of Error A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server:

1.       The credentials i.e. user name and password specified to connect to SQL Server are not correct.

2.       The service SQL Server(MSSQLSERVER) is stopped.

Steps to solve error A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server

Step 1: Click on Start icon on the taskbar open Microsoft Sql Server folder. Open Configuration Tools folder and then open SQL Server Configuration Manager as shown in the diagram below:

Step 2: In SQL Server Configuration Manager window on the left side select the option SQL Server Services and on the right side check the service SQL Server(MSSQLSERVER) is stopped or running . If this service is stopped then right click on this service and then start this service.

After following the steps given above try to connect with SQL Server Management Studio.