Wait Type BROKER_TRANSMITTER

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.

SQL Server offers a variety of wait types to help troubleshoot and optimize performance. The BROKER_TRANSMITTER wait type is specific to Service Broker, a feature designed for reliable messaging and asynchronous task processing. This wait type occurs when SQL Server is waiting for a message transmission to complete. Understanding this wait type is essential for ensuring smooth communication in Service Broker workloads.

What Is the BROKER_TRANSMITTER Wait Type?

The BROKER_TRANSMITTER wait type occurs when Service Broker is transmitting messages to a target queue or endpoint. It represents the time SQL Server spends waiting for the network or the target system to acknowledge that a message has been successfully sent. If this wait type appears frequently, it may indicate issues with message processing, network delays, or endpoint availability.

When Does BROKER_TRANSMITTER Appear?

This wait type can appear in the following scenarios:

• Message Transmission – When Service Broker is sending messages to a remote or local target queue.
• Network Delays – If the network connection between the source and target system is slow or unreliable.
• Target Unavailability – When the target service or database is unavailable or experiencing high load.
• Large Message Volumes – When the system processes many messages, potentially overwhelming the transmission pipeline.

Why BROKER_TRANSMITTER Waits Matter

While some BROKER_TRANSMITTER waits are expected in messaging systems, excessive or prolonged waits can impact performance and indicate bottlenecks. Common causes include:

• Network Issues – High latency or packet loss in the network connection between the source and target systems.
• Slow Target Systems – Delays at the target service or database due to high load or insufficient resources.
• Large Backlogs – Accumulated messages in the transmission queue that require processing.
• Misconfigurations – Incorrect Service Broker route or endpoint settings causing delays.

How to Address BROKER_TRANSMITTER Waits

If BROKER_TRANSMITTER waits are affecting your system’s performance, consider the following strategies:

• Optimize Network Performance – Ensure the network connections between endpoints are stable, low-latency, and high-bandwidth.
• Validate Target Availability – Check that the target service or database is online and capable of processing incoming messages efficiently.
• Monitor Backlogs – Regularly check the transmission queue and process pending messages to prevent backlogs.
• Increase Resources – Allocate sufficient CPU, memory, and disk resources to both source and target systems to handle the workload.
• Review Service Broker Configuration – Verify that routes, endpoints, and services are configured correctly to ensure smooth message transmission.

Monitoring BROKER_TRANSMITTER Waits

To effectively monitor this wait type, use the Historic Waits Monitoring feature in Database Health Monitor. This tool provides detailed insights into wait statistics over time, helping you identify trends and diagnose performance issues in your Service Broker setup. Proactive monitoring allows you to address potential bottlenecks before they impact system performance.

Stedman Solutions specializes in SQL Server performance tuning and optimization. If you’re experiencing BROKER_TRANSMITTER waits or other SQL Server challenges, our Database Health Monitor tool offers comprehensive insights, and our managed services provide expert support to keep your SQL Server environment running efficiently. Contact us today to learn how we can help improve your SQL Server performance and reliability.

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Applies to

Related Waits

See Also

• More About BROKER_TRANSMITTER