Error 1601

Severity Level 16

Message Text

No resources available to start '%s' process. Use sp_configure to increase the number of user connections.

Explanation

This error occurs when SQL Server is not configured with enough user connections to support all requests. There is one resource for each configured user connection. When all resources are in use and a request is made to create another process, error 1601 occurs.

Action

Use the sp_configure system procedure to increase the number of user connections:

1. Set the new value for user connections:

   sp_configure 'user connections', new_value
   go

2. Using the reconfigure statement, instruct SQL Server to accept the new value:

   reconfigure with override
   go

3. Restart SQL Server.

   Depending on the exact configuration of your SQL Server, each user connection requires a certain amount of memory, whether or not it is in use. Gradually increase the number of user connections until these errors no longer occur. When you change the user connections option, you might need to increase the memory option.

For additional information about configuring user connections, see Chapter 21, "Configuration Issues."