Local SQL Server instances not showing up on Local Servers tab of Management Studio logon screen

_{Tuesday, October 2, 2007 11:00 PM}

We have a 64-bit VM server running SQL Server 2005.  The SQL Server on this particular VM server has 6 local instances installed.  On the Management Studio logon screen I can type the full name of the local instance and connect to it, however if I press the drop down in the Server name field, choose Browse and select the Local Servers tab there is nothing listed under Database Engines.

Any idea why the 6 local instances don't show up under Database Engines?  This is preventing me from installing a vendor application because their installer looks for local SQL Server instances on this server, but if SQL Server won't even show the local instances then the installer doesn't see them either.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Craig

_{Wednesday, October 3, 2007 2:29 AM ✅Answered}

Verify that the SQL Browser service is installed and running, and that port 1434 is open on all
VM instances.

_{Wednesday, October 3, 2007 2:29 AM}

Hi,

1.) Goto Management Studio
2.) Click View --> Registered servers
3.) Right click on "Database Engie" then click "Update Local server Registration"
4.) It will automatically detect all the instances installed in the server and update it there

Once its done you can easily right click on the server name and click "connect" to establish a connection to the server