I have two systems that are on the same network. I am able to ping back and forth between these systems with their IP address and with their system names. I have enabled the TCP port 1433 inbound and outbound on both systems. I have enabled TCP in the SQL Server Configuration Manager.

I have created an SQL Server Authentication and have the server on mixed login.

I am able to connect to the server from the system it is running on by using the following:

  • Authentication: SQL Server Authentication
  • Login: admin

However, if I change the Server name to tcp:DESKTOP,1433\SQLEXPRESS I am unable to connect. If I change the Authentication mode back to Windows I am able to connect using the above server name.

This is my first time using SQL and I am very confused why I am having this issue. I would like to be able to connect to this server through TCP so that I may connect to it remotely with another system on the same network. Any information or links would be greatly appreciated.


Typically, a default instance will use port 1433, and a named instance will use an arbitrary port in the 49152 to 65535 range. Because SQL Express uses a named instance (even if it is the first and only instance on a server), it will grab an arbitrary high port. So make sure that TCP port 50207 is allowed from your second machine to Desktop. And also open UDP 1434, in order for the SQL Browser service to do its job.

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