Cannot Generate SSPI Context: How to Fix it Quickly

Changing the SQL server user should do the trick here

4 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

The target principal name is incorrect – cannot generate SSPI context error on SQL Server occurs when trying to make a connection onSQLServerfrom a remoteserverwith a Windows account.

This is a generic error. It can be triggered due to many reasons, including an outdated password, clock drift, failure to register an SPN, or Active Directory access permission.

In this article, we take a look at a few troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the cannot generate SSPI context error on the Windows server.

How can I fix the cannot generate SSPI context error?

1. Change SQL Service User

Try changing theSQLSERVICE user with the one that is Domain Admin. When you shut down the service, you need an account with privileges to create a new SPN (Service Principal Name).

When a service starts without it, it will trigger the error. Changing the privileges of your system account can fix the error.

However, it is always recommended for service accounts to give them the least privileges due to security reasons.Follow the steps below to remove the SPN entries from AD users and computers:

2. Check your password

The error cannot generate SSPI context can occur due to password issues. If you have recently changed your password but haven’t logged out of your account, it can trigger the error.

Try logging out and then signing in with the new password to fix the error.

In other instances, the issue could be due to password expiration. Change the expired password and log in with the new credentials to see if that resolves the error.

3. Change Active Directory permission

Try establishing a new connection and check if they cannot generate the SSPI context error resolved. Make sure you restart theSQLServices that are associated with the current account to apply the changes.

Changing the Active Directory permission is a safe option than changing theSQLserveruser. However, before you proceed to change the permission, make sure the problem is triggered due to permission issues.

Log in to the server where yourSQLinstance is running, and then check the error logs to check if the error is triggered due to permission problems.

The error that cannot generate SSPI context can occur due to permission as well as expired credentials issues. Changing the password and permission should help you fix the error and log back into yourSQLserver.

If you are facing other issues likeMicrosoft SQL Server error 18456, check our detailed guide to fix it.

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.

Cannot Generate SSPI Context: How to Fix it Quickly#

How can I fix the cannot generate SSPI context error?#

1. Change SQL Service User#

2. Check your password#

3. Change Active Directory permission#

Cannot Generate SSPI Context: How to Fix it Quickly

How can I fix the cannot generate SSPI context error?

1. Change SQL Service User

2. Check your password

3. Change Active Directory permission