SQL Server Error Msg 49975 – Unable to load controller client certificate due to OSError:’%s’.

In this blog post, let’s learn about the error message “49975 – Unable to load controller client certificate due to OSError:’%s’.” in Microsoft SQL Server, the reason why it appears and the solution to fix it.

SQL Server Error Message

49975 – Unable to load controller client certificate due to OSError:’%s’.

Reason for the Error

This error in SQL Server occurs when SQL Server is unable to load the controller client certificate due to an OSError. The exact cause of the error can vary, but here are a few possible reasons:

1. Missing or invalid certificate file: If the certificate file is missing or has been deleted, SQL Server will not be able to load it. Similarly, if the certificate file is corrupted or invalid, it may cause this error.
2. Incorrect certificate password: If the certificate file is password-protected, you must provide the correct password to load it. If the password is incorrect, SQL Server will not be able to load the certificate.
3. Permission issues: If the certificate file or the directory it is stored in does not have the necessary permissions, SQL Server may not be able to load it. Make sure that the SQL Server service account has the necessary permissions to access the certificate file and its parent directory.
4. Network issues: If the certificate file is located on a network share, network connectivity issues could cause this error.

Solution

To fix the the SQL Server error Msg 49975, you can try one of the below solutions

1. Verify the certificate file and password: Check if the certificate file is valid and not corrupted. If it is password-protected, make sure that you are providing the correct password to load it.
2. Check the permissions on the certificate file and its directory: Ensure that the SQL Server service account has the necessary permissions to access the certificate file and its parent directory. Make sure that the account has read access to the certificate file and the directory where it is located.
3. Move the certificate file to a local directory: If the certificate file is located on a network share, move it to a local directory on the SQL Server machine and try loading it again.
4. Check the network connectivity to the certificate file location: If the certificate file is located on a network share, ensure that the SQL Server machine can access it. Check the network connectivity and ensure that there are no network issues causing the error.
5. Use a different certificate file: If the certificate file is still causing issues, try using a different certificate file.
6. Reinstall the certificate: If none of the above solutions work, you may need to reinstall the certificate. Ensure that you have a backup of the certificate before you attempt to reinstall it.

Once you have tried the above solutions, restart the SQL Server service and try to load the certificate again. If the error persists, you may need to contact a SQL Server administrator for further assistance.