How to: Regain SysAdmin Access to a SQL Server Instance Without the SA Password

Hello, reader!

Today, I’m going to walk you through a scenario that many DBAs encounter: accessing a SQL Server instance when you don’t have the SA password, and no login has SysAdmin privileges.

Problem

Have you ever inherited a SQL Server instance or been called in to troubleshoot, only to discover that no one has SysAdmin access? It happens more often than you’d think. Clients reach out, needing urgent work done, but the SA password is long forgotten, and no other account has elevated permissions.

Unfortunately, SQL Server doesn’t offer a “reset on next login” option for SQL-authenticated accounts. So what can you do?

Scenario:  dbatools + PowerShell

Thanks to the dbatools.io PowerShell module,

Reset-DbaAdmin is a powerful command that can help.

Let’s say you try logging in with a password you think might be correct for the SA account—but you’re met with the dreaded “Login failed” message.

Oh no! How will you work on this SQL Server instance?

Solution:

Reset-DbaAdmin

This command is your lifeline. Here’s what it does:

1. Prompts for a new password for the SQL login you want to reset.
2. Stops the SQL Server instance.
3. Starts it in single-user mode.
4. Resets the login password to the one you entered.
5. Restarts SQL Server in normal mode.

If the process completes without errors, you’re back in business. Open SSMS, log in with the SA account and the new password—and voilà, you’re in.

Conclusion

This technique has saved me countless times during client engagements. It’s a clean, reliable way to regain access without resorting to drastic measures. Please use it responsibly and document the change for future administrators.

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