Hi friends! In this post, which is related to SQL Server failover clustering, we will talk about how you can resolve the issue of not being able to add a node to a Server failover cluster, due to the fact that one of the service accounts (i.e. SQL Server or SQL Server Agent, or both) is greyed out during the installation wizard process, meaning that you cannot proceed with the add node operation.
Greyed out service account in SQL Server Add Failover Cluster Node wizard
Under certain circumstances, after launching the “Add Node to a SQL Server Failover Cluster” wizard from within SQL Server’s installation center, during the process where you need to set the credentials for the service accounts (i.e. SQL Server and/or SQL Server Agent service account), you observe that one of those service accounts is greyed out, meaning that you cannot set it up in the wizard. This has as an effect, not to be able to continue with the installation.
Below, you can find some useful tips, on how you can resolve the issue.
How to Resolve the issue
In order to resolve the issue, you can try the following, via the Failover Cluster manager tool.
In the list of resources, under the SQL Server failover cluster role, right-click on the SQL Server service you have trouble configuring its credentials in the add failover cluster node wizard. This can be either the “SQL Server” service, or “SQL Server Agent” or even both. Let’s see below both cases.
So, what you need to fix here in any of the two cases, is the “InstanceName” property in the cluster resources.
Below, we explain what you can try for each one of the two SQL Server services in the cluster.
Fixing the issue on the “SQL Server” cluster resource
Within the Failover Cluster Manager, under the SQL Server failover cluster role, right-click on the “SQL Server” resource, select “Properties“, and then again, navigate to the “Properties” tab of the dialog that opens.
Then, in the “InstanceName” property, you will need to make sure that the proper SQL Server instance name is there.
For example, if you are working on a default clustered instance of SQL Server, then, the default instance name would be “MSSQLServer“. In a different case (i.e. you are using a named clustered instance of SQL Server), again, you will need to make sure that the named instance is in the “InstanceName” field.
Fixing the issue on the “SQL Server Agent” cluster resource
Within the Failover Cluster Manager, under the SQL Server failover cluster role, right-click on the “SQL Server Agent” resource, select “Properties“, and then again, navigate to the “Properties” tab of the dialog that opens.
Then, in the “InstanceName” property, you will need to make sure that the proper SQL Server instance name is there.
Just like in the first case above, if you are working on a default clustered instance of SQL Server, then, the default instance name would be “MSSQLServer“. In a different case (i.e. you are using a named clustered instance of SQL Server), again, you will need to make sure that the named instance is in the “InstanceName” field.
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Artemakis Artemiou is a seasoned Senior Database and AI/Automation Architect with over 20 years of expertise in the IT industry. As a Certified Database, Cloud, and AI professional, he has been recognized as a thought leader, earning the prestigious Microsoft Data Platform MVP title for nine consecutive years (2009-2018). Driven by a passion for simplifying complex topics, Artemakis shares his expertise through articles, online courses, and speaking engagements. He empowers professionals around the globe to excel in Databases, Cloud, AI, Automation, and Software Development. Committed to innovation and education, Artemakis strives to make technology accessible and impactful for everyone.
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