A network-related or instance-specefic error occured in sql server

 While trying to connect to SQL Server many of us must have faced an error "A network-related or instance-specific error occurred". So, we will be learning how to solve this problem in this article.

This issue is seen when SQL server running in background (service) is stopped.

See red circle, there is nothing in status. It means the service is stopped.

In above figure, see red mark at left side, you can see start the service. Just click that start and the service starts running and the problem will be solved.

Alternatively, you can right click on highlighted line (SQL Server) and then click start.

Depending on the version you installed, displayed option might be different.