HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION SQL Server Wait Type

Wait Type HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION

The wait type HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION is ranked #187 by Stedman Solutions and Database Health Monitor.

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 Always On Availability Groups are designed to ensure high availability and disaster recovery by maintaining synchronization between replicas. During certain operations, such as recovery or failover, you may encounter the HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION wait type. Understanding this wait type can help you troubleshoot potential issues and optimize your Always On environment.

What is HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION?

The HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION wait type occurs when SQL Server is waiting for a connection to be established between the primary replica and a secondary replica during the recovery process. This typically happens after a failover or when a replica is being reconnected to the Always On Availability Group.

In simpler terms, this wait type means SQL Server is pausing while it tries to connect a secondary replica back into the Always On setup. While some waiting is normal during these processes, excessive waits may indicate problems with network connectivity, resource availability, or configuration settings.

Why Does HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION Happen?

Several factors can lead to HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION waits, including:

  • Network issues between the primary and secondary replicas, such as latency or packet loss.
  • Secondary replicas being offline or unavailable during the recovery process.
  • Resource constraints, such as limited CPU, memory, or disk I/O on the primary or secondary replicas.
  • Misconfigured Always On Availability Group settings that prevent proper communication between replicas.
  • High workloads or contention on the servers hosting the replicas.

Addressing these factors can help reduce the duration of this wait type and improve overall system performance.

How to Monitor HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION Waits

Monitoring HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION waits is essential for identifying trends and pinpointing issues. The Database Health Monitor is an excellent tool for tracking these waits. Its Historic Waits Monitoring feature allows you to analyze when these waits occur, their frequency, and their correlation with system events.

Using Database Health Monitor, you can determine whether these waits are tied to specific replicas, network conditions, or system workloads, helping you take targeted corrective actions.

What Can You Do About HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION Waits?

If you’re experiencing frequent or prolonged HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION waits, consider taking the following steps:

  • Check network connectivity between the primary and secondary replicas to ensure low latency and reliability.
  • Verify that all secondary replicas are online and properly configured to connect to the Always On Availability Group.
  • Increase system resources, such as CPU, memory, or disk I/O, on replicas that are under resource pressure.
  • Optimize workloads to reduce contention and free up resources during recovery processes.
  • Review and adjust Always On Availability Group settings to ensure compatibility with your workload and environment.

These measures can help you reduce recovery delays and improve the overall efficiency of your Always On Availability Group.

How Stedman Solutions Can Help

At Stedman Solutions, we specialize in SQL Server performance tuning and troubleshooting, including resolving issues with wait types like HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION. Our managed services provide proactive monitoring and expert support to keep your Always On Availability Groups running smoothly. Additionally, our Database Health Monitor offers powerful tools to track and analyze SQL Server waits, ensuring your database system is reliable and efficient.

If you’re facing challenges with Always On synchronization or need help optimizing your SQL Server environment, contact us today. Let us help you achieve a high-performing and resilient database system!


Find out more about our SQL Server Managed Services

Applies to

    Related Waits

    HADR_AG_MUTEX
    HADR_AR_CRITICAL_SECTION_ENTRY
    HADR_AR_MANAGER_MUTEX
    HADR_AR_UNLOAD_COMPLETED
    HADR_ARCONTROLLER_NOTIFICATIONS_SUBSCRIBER_LIST
    HADR_BACKUP_BULK_LOCK
    HADR_BACKUP_QUEUE
    HADR_CLUSAPI_CALL
    HADR_COMPRESSED_CACHE_SYNC
    HADR_CONNECTIVITY_INFO
    HADR_DATABASE_FLOW_CONTROL
    HADR_DATABASE_VERSIONING_STATE
    HADR_DATABASE_WAIT_FOR_RESTART
    HADR_DATABASE_WAIT_FOR_TRANSITION_TO_VERSIONING
    HADR_DB_COMMAND
    HADR_DB_OP_COMPLETION_SYNC
    HADR_DB_OP_START_SYNC
    HADR_DBR_SUBSCRIBER
    HADR_DBR_SUBSCRIBER_FILTER_LIST
    HADR_DBSEEDING
    HADR_DBSEEDING_LIST
    HADR_DBSTATECHANGE_SYNC
    HADR_FABRIC_CALLBACK
    HADR_FILESTREAM_BLOCK_FLUSH
    HADR_FILESTREAM_FILE_CLOSE
    HADR_FILESTREAM_FILE_REQUEST
    HADR_FILESTREAM_IOMGR
    HADR_FILESTREAM_MANAGER
    HADR_GROUP_COMMIT
    HADR_LOGCAPTURE_SYNC
    HADR_LOGCAPTURE_WAIT
    HADR_LOGPROGRESS_SYNC
    HADR_NOTIFICATION_DEQUEUE
    HADR_NOTIFICATION_WORKER_EXCLUSIVE_ACCESS
    HADR_NOTIFICATION_WORKER_STARTUP_SYNC
    HADR_NOTIFICATION_WORKER_TERMINATION_SYNC
    HADR_PARTNER_SYNC
    HADR_READ_ALL_NETWORKS
    HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_UNDO
    HADR_REPLICAINFO_SYNC
    HADR_SYNC_COMMIT
    HADR_SYNCHRONIZING_THROTTLE
    HADR_TDS_LISTENER_SYNC
    HADR_TDS_LISTENER_SYNC_PROCESSING
    HADR_TIMER_TASK
    HADR_TRANSPORT_DBRLIST
    HADR_TRANSPORT_FLOW_CONTROL
    HADR_TRANSPORT_SESSION
    HADR_WORK_POOL
    HADR_WORK_QUEUE
    HADR_XRF_STACK_ACCESS

    See Also


    All Wait Types
    HADR_RECOVERY_WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION SQL Server Wait Type