How to Resolve: [IM002] [Microsoft][ODBC Driver Manager] Data source name not found and no default driver specified (0) (SQLDriverConnect)

This article, provides useful troubleshooting tips, for the following error which you might get, under certain circumstances, when trying to connect to SQL Server from Python, using pyodbc: [IM002] [Microsoft][ODBC Driver Manager] Data source name not found and no default driver specified (0) (SQLDriverConnect).

Prior to sharing our tips for troubleshooting the issue, let’s discuss about the two main ways of connecting to SQL Server from Python.

 

Ways of Connecting to SQL Server from Python

In Python, there are 2 main ways for connecting to SQL Server, using the pyodbc module and Microsoft ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server.

 

Specifying the Full Connection String in Python

The first way, is to define the full connection string in you Python code.

For example, in case you are using a username/password instead of a trusted connection, here’s a relevant example:

conn = pyodbc.connect('DRIVER={ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server};SERVER=server_name;DATABASE=database_name;UID=user;PWD=password')

 

In case you are using a trusted connection, here’s another relevant example:

conn = pyodbc.connect('DRIVER={ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server};SERVER=server_name;DATABASE=database_name;Trusted_Connection=yes;')

 

Referencing an ODBC System DSN

The second way, is to reference an ODBC DSN.

Here’s a code example, that references and ODBC DSN:

conn = pyodbc.connect('DSN=mynewdsn;UID=user;PWD=password')

 

---

Learn more about SQL Server Data Access from Python – Enroll to our Course!

Enroll to our online course  “Working with Python on Windows and SQL Server Databases” with an exclusive discount, and get started with Python data access programming for SQL Server databases, fast and easy!

Learn More

---

 

Troubleshooting the Issue

The error message we are examining in this post, indicates that we are trying to connect to SQL Server, using the second method, that is referencing an ODBC DSN and the process fails.

In this case, we can further troubleshoot the issue, by performing the below checks.

 

Check 1 – Verify that the DSN Name is Valid

Check in ODBC Data Source Administrator that the DSN exists with the exact same name you are referencing it in your Python code.

Additionally, you must check that the DSN indeed works.

For checking the DSN:

• 64-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator if you are using a 64-bit version of Windows:
  C:\WINDOWS\System32\odbcad32.exe

 

• 32-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator if you are using a 32-bit version of Windows:
  C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe

 

Check 2 – Verify that the DSN is Correctly Referenced in Python Code

If the DSN uses a username/password, you need to also specify it in your Python code as per below example:

conn = pyodbc.connect('DSN=dsn_name;UID=user;PWD=password')

If the DSN uses a trusted connection, you need to also specify it in your Python code as per below example:

conn = pyodbc.connect('DSN= dsn_name;Trusted_Connection=yes;')

 

If None of the Above Helps

If none of the above helps, then you may consider instead of using a DSN, to define the full connection in your Python code (see first way above).

 

Featured Online Courses:

• SQL Server Security Best Practices
• AI Demystified: A 1-Hour Beginner’s Guide (Suitable for Non-Technical People)
• AI Essentials: A Beginner’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence
• Human-AI Synergy: Teams and Collaborative Intelligence
• Data Management for Beginners – Main Principles
• SQL Server 2022: What’s New – New and Enhanced Features
• Working with Python on Windows and SQL Server Databases
• Introduction to Azure Database for MySQL
• Boost SQL Server Database Performance with In-Memory OLTP
• Introduction to Azure SQL Database for Beginners
• Essential SQL Server Administration Tips
• SQL Server Fundamentals – SQL Database for Beginners
• Essential SQL Server Development Tips for SQL Developers
• Introduction to Computer Programming for Beginners
• .NET Programming for Beginners – Windows Forms with C#
  
• SQL Server 2019: What’s New – New and Enhanced Features
• Entity Framework: Getting Started – Complete Beginners Guide
  
• A Guide on How to Start and Monetize a Successful Blog

 

Read Also:

• Python Data Access Fundamentals
• How to Connect to SQL Server Databases from a Python Program
• Mastering Python & SQL Server: Best Practices
• What is Abstraction in Object Oriented Programming?
• How to Run the SQL Server BULK INSERT Command from Within a Python Program
• Useful Python Programming Tips
• Main Data Structures in Python
• IndentationError: expected an indented block in Python – How to Resolve it
• Working with Python on Windows and SQL Server Databases (Course Preview)
• How to Write to a Text File from a C++ Program
• How to Establish a Simple Connection from a C# Program to SQL Server
• The timeout period elapsed prior to obtaining a connection from the pool
• Closing a C# Application (including hidden forms)
• Changing the startup form in a C# project
• Using the C# SqlParameter Object for Writing More Secure Code
• Cannot implicitly convert type ‘string’ to ‘System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewTextBoxColumn
• Missing parentheses in call to ‘print’. did you mean print(…) – How to Resolve in Python

 

Subscribe to the GnoelixiAI Hub newsletter on LinkedIn and stay up to date with the latest AI news and trends.

Subscribe to the SQLNetHub YouTube channel (SQLNetHub TV).

Subscribe to my personal YouTube channel.

 

Rate this article: (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Loading...

Reference: SQLNetHub.com (https://www.sqlnethub.com)

© SQLNetHub