Wait Type PREEMPTIVE_OLEDBOPS

Wait statistics, in the context of SQL Server, refer to the amount of time that a query spends waiting to access data in the database. When a client application requests data from the database, the request is placed in a queue and the client application must wait for its turn to access the data. The time that the query spends waiting is called a "wait" and is tracked by SQL Server. This information can be used to identify potential performance bottlenecks and optimize the performance of the database. Wait statistics are commonly used by database administrators to diagnose and troubleshoot performance issues in SQL Server.

If you have been monitoring the performance of your SQL Server instance, you may have noticed the PREEMPTIVE_OLEDBOPS wait type in the wait statistics. But what does this wait type mean, and why is it important to understand?

The PREEMPTIVE_OLEDBOPS wait type indicates that SQL Server is waiting for a request to be completed by an OLE DB provider. OLE DB is a data access technology that allows SQL Server to interact with other data sources, such as databases, spreadsheets, and text files. When this wait type occurs, SQL Server must wait for the OLE DB provider to complete the request before it can continue processing requests. This can cause delays and impact the overall performance of the server.

There are several reasons why the PREEMPTIVE_OLEDBOPS wait type may occur. For instance, if the OLE DB provider is slow or inefficient, it can take longer for requests to be completed, which can cause this wait type to occur. In addition, if the data source that the provider is accessing is large or complex, it may take longer for the provider to retrieve the necessary data, which can also result in this wait type.

To address issues with the PREEMPTIVE_OLEDBOPS wait type, you can take a number of steps. For example, you can optimize the queries and operations that are using OLE DB to access data. This can include reducing the amount of data that is being accessed, or using more efficient techniques to retrieve the data. You can also consider using a different OLE DB provider, or switching to a different data access technology altogether, if available.

In addition, you can use the SQL Server Profiler tool to identify the specific queries and operations that are causing this wait type to occur. By analyzing the cause of the wait type, you can take steps to optimize those queries or operations and improve their performance.

In conclusion, the PREEMPTIVE_OLEDBOPS wait type is an important indicator of the performance of your SQL Server instance. By understanding this wait type and taking steps to address any issues that it may indicate, you can help ensure that your database is running efficiently and effectively.

Applies to

• SQL Server 2014
• SQL Server 2016
• SQL Server 2017
• SQL Server 2019
• SQL Server 2022

Related Waits

See Also

• More About PREEMPTIVE_OLEDBOPS