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danevald's avatar
danevald
Copper Contributor
Oct 20, 2023

ODBC from Access to SQL Server database - query timeout expired

I am having issues connecting to a database located on a SQL Server 2022. When creating the connection all test gives OK. But when trying to connect, it fails with:   ODBC--call failed "Query tim...
access
ODBC
sql server
Tom_van_Stiphout's avatar
Tom_van_Stiphout
Steel Contributor
Oct 21, 2023
Use the ODBC applet (under Control Panel) to create a File DSN using the same ODBC driver. On the last page of the wizard you can test the connection. Does that work?
danevald's avatar
danevald
Copper Contributor
Oct 23, 2023
It's the same as creating it through Access, and the test completes successfully.
  • George_Hepworth's avatar
    George_Hepworth
    Silver Contributor
    Oct 23, 2023

    danevald 

    I don't recall. Did you ask the DBA for this SQL Server for assistance? In fact, we ought to be clear on where this SQL Server is located, local or remotely hosted.

     

    One other thing comes to mind, which I probably should have thought of previously. Depending on where this SQL Server is, local or hosted, it may be that you have to specify that the connection needs to trust the Server Certificate to which it's connecting.

     

    Note the elements of this connection string for a table linked in Access, for example, especially the last one.

     

    DRIVER=ODBC Driver 18 for SQL Server; SERVER=YourServerNameGoesHere;UID=YourUserIDGoesHere;PWD=YourPasswordGoesHere;Trusted_Connection=No;APP=LocalApplicationName;DATABASE=YourSSDatabaseNameGoesHere;Encrypt=Yes;TrustServerCertificate=Yes;

     

    TrustServerCertificate is being required by more hosts, as well as by SQL Azure. I have been caught out by it at least a couple of times in the last 6 months.

    • danevald's avatar
      danevald
      Copper Contributor
      Oct 24, 2023
      Found a solution now, the querytimeout had to be extended a lot...
      I did not work to change the setting in Access, Options, Client settings, OLE/DDE timeout, I had to do it in registry:
      Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun\REGISTRY\MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Access Connectivity Engine\Engines\ODBC\QueryTimeout

      I only have access to 1 table, but still it takes at least 1½-3 minutes to open the connection. I'm told because of the number of tables this might be as expected.
      • Tom_van_Stiphout's avatar
        Tom_van_Stiphout
        Steel Contributor
        Oct 24, 2023
        I have opened an Access FE with ODBC links to a few dozen tables among 4000 (!) tables in the on-prem SQL Server BE, and it was instantaneous.

        The timeout can also be set on the QueryDef object, if you're running a PT query.

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