And how to fix it when encountered while updating a SQL Server service account from Local System to anything else
Problem
I’ve recently had to work on a VM where the SQL Server Agent service account was changed from a dedicated service account to Local System. Trying to change the service account via the service properties window in SQL Server Configuration Manager, ended up throwing the “The parameter is incorrect [0x80070057]” WMI provider error.
![In background: SQL Server Configuration Manager with the properties window for the SQL Server Agent opened.
In foreground: Error window "WMI Provider Error. The parameter is incorrect [0x80070057]](https://vladdba.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WMIError.jpg)
Cause
This tends to be a side-effect of setting the service account to Local System via Windows Services Manager (services.msc), instead of SQL Server Configuration Manager, and checking the “Allow service to interact with desktop” option.
Solution
Unchecking the “Allow service to interact with desktop” option and applying the change will then allow the successful update of the service account through SQL Server Configuration Manager without throwing that above error.
Key takeaway
Situations like the one that caused this error are among the reasons why Microsoft recommends that all changes to SQL Server related services be done from within SQL Server Configuration Manager.
Thank you very much for this article. It helped.
I’m not sure if this is fixed or not, but back in the days (way back), like 2005-2008 era, we found out that services.msc and Configuration Manager were pointing to different locations in registry when it came to SQL Server services.
Go figure!
Anyway, great article, keep up the great work (blog)
That’s an interesting bit of information.
Thank you, Calin!