[sql-server] When restoring a backup, how do I disconnect all active connections?

My SQL Server 2005 doesn't restore a backup because of active connections. How can I force it?

To add to advice already given, if you have a web app running through IIS that uses the DB, you may also need to stop (not recycle) the app pool for the app while you restore, then re-start. Stopping the app pool kills off active http connections and doesn't allow any more, which could otherwise end up allowing processes to be triggered that connect to and thereby lock the database. This is a known issue for example with the Umbraco Content Management System when restoring its database

I ran across this problem while automating a restore proccess in SQL Server 2008. My (successfull) approach was a mix of two of the answers provided.

First, I run across all the connections of said database, and kill them.

DECLARE @SPID int = (SELECT TOP 1 SPID FROM sys.sysprocess WHERE dbid = db_id('dbName'))
While @spid Is Not Null
Begin
        Execute ('Kill ' + @spid)
        Select @spid = top 1 spid from master.dbo.sysprocesses
        where dbid = db_id('dbName')
End

Then, I set the database to a single_user mode

ALTER DATABASE dbName SET SINGLE_USER

Then, I run the restore...

RESTORE DATABASE and whatnot

Kill the connections again

(same query as above)

And set the database back to multi_user.

ALTER DATABASE dbName SET MULTI_USER

This way, I ensure that there are no connections holding up the database before setting to single mode, since the former will freeze if there are.

None of the above worked for me. My database didn't show any active connections using Activity Monitor or sp_who. I ultimately had to:

• Right click the database node
• Select "Detach..."
• Check the "Drop Connections" box
• Reattach

Not the most elegant solution but it works and it doesn't require restarting SQL Server (not an option for me, since the DB server hosted a bunch of other databases)

Restarting SQL server will disconnect users. Easiest way I've found - good also if you want to take the server offline.

But for some very wierd reason the 'Take Offline' option doesn't do this reliably and can hang or confuse the management console. Restarting then taking offline works

Sometimes this is an option - if for instance you've stopped a webserver that is the source of the connections.

Try this:

DECLARE UserCursor CURSOR LOCAL FAST_FORWARD FOR
SELECT
    spid
FROM
    master.dbo.sysprocesses
WHERE DB_NAME(dbid) = 'dbname'--replace the dbname with your database
DECLARE @spid SMALLINT
DECLARE @SQLCommand VARCHAR(300)
OPEN UserCursor
FETCH NEXT FROM UserCursor INTO
    @spid
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
    SET @SQLCommand = 'KILL ' + CAST(@spid AS VARCHAR)
    EXECUTE(@SQLCommand)
    FETCH NEXT FROM UserCursor INTO
        @spid
END
CLOSE UserCursor
DEALLOCATE UserCursor
GO

This code worked for me, it kills all existing connections of a database. All you have to do is change the line Set @dbname = 'databaseName' so it has your database name.

Use Master
Go

Declare @dbname sysname

Set @dbname = 'databaseName'

Declare @spid int
Select @spid = min(spid) from master.dbo.sysprocesses
where dbid = db_id(@dbname)
While @spid Is Not Null
Begin
        Execute ('Kill ' + @spid)
        Select @spid = min(spid) from master.dbo.sysprocesses
        where dbid = db_id(@dbname) and spid > @spid
End

after this I was able to restore it

None of these were working for me, couldn't delete or disconnect current users. Also couldn't see any active connections to the DB. Restarting SQL Server (Right click and select Restart) allowed me to do it.

I prefer to do like this,

alter database set offline with rollback immediate

and then restore your database. after that,

alter database set online with rollback immediate

You want to set your db to single user mode, do the restore, then set it back to multiuser:

ALTER DATABASE YourDB
SET SINGLE_USER WITH
ROLLBACK AFTER 60 --this will give your current connections 60 seconds to complete

--Do Actual Restore
RESTORE DATABASE YourDB
FROM DISK = 'D:\BackUp\YourBaackUpFile.bak'
WITH MOVE 'YourMDFLogicalName' TO 'D:\Data\YourMDFFile.mdf',
MOVE 'YourLDFLogicalName' TO 'D:\Data\YourLDFFile.ldf'

/*If there is no error in statement before database will be in multiuser
mode.  If error occurs please execute following command it will convert
database in multi user.*/
ALTER DATABASE YourDB SET MULTI_USER
GO

Reference : Pinal Dave (http://blog.SQLAuthority.com)

Official reference: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms345598.aspx