How to set a new port to help connect a SQL Server Database connection in ArcGIS Pro

Description

ArcGIS Pro is unable to connect to a Microsoft SQL Server enterprise geodatabase and returns an error when creating a database connection or running geoprocessing tools that require access to the enterprise geodatabase:

"DBMS unable to connect"

This issue may occur even when SQL Server services are running, network connectivity is available, required protocols are enabled, and database credentials are valid.

Cause

The SQL Server port specified in the ArcGIS Pro database connection properties is incorrect, as shown in the next image:

Although SQL Server may be reachable through SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and other network connectivity tests may succeed, ArcGIS Pro requires the correct SQL Server port to establish the database connection. If an incorrect port is specified, ArcGIS Pro returns the "DBMS unable to connect" error and enterprise geodatabase tools fail to connect.

Solution or Workaround

Use the following troubleshooting workflow to isolate the source of the connection failure:

1. Verify SQL Server configuration:
   • Confirm the SQL Server instance is running.
   • Verify TCP/IP and Named Pipes protocols are enabled.
   • Confirm Windows Firewall inbound rules allow SQL Server communication.
2. Verify client requirements:
   • Confirm the appropriate Microsoft ODBC Driver is installed on the ArcGIS Pro machine.
   • For SQL Server 2022 environments, verify the latest supported ODBC driver is installed.
3. Verify database credentials:
   • Test the same credentials using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
   • Confirm the account can successfully authenticate and access the database.
4. Verify network connectivity:
   • Run PING tests between the ArcGIS Pro machine and the SQL Server host.
   • Run TRACERT tests to verify routing.
   • Use TELNET or equivalent tools to validate communication through the SQL Server port.
5. Review SQL Server logs:
   • Check for authentication failures, network-related errors, or connection attempts from the ArcGIS Pro machine.
6. Test ArcGIS Pro connectivity:
   • Create a new database connection in ArcGIS Pro.
   • Attempt to run enterprise geodatabase tools such as Create Enterprise Geodatabase.
7. Verify the SQL Server port configured in ArcGIS Pro:
   • Open the database connection properties.
   • Confirm the port matches the SQL Server instance configuration.
   • Correct the port if necessary.
8. Re-create the database connection and test again.

In this case, the issue was resolved after specifying the correct SQL Server port (1443) in the ArcGIS Pro database connection properties, as shown in the image above. Once the port was corrected, ArcGIS Pro successfully connected to the SQL Server database and enterprise geodatabase operations completed successfully.