Wait Type LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS

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 uses a sophisticated locking mechanism to manage data consistency and concurrency. Occasionally, you might encounter the LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS wait type, which provides insight into how SQL Server handles contention between transactions. Understanding this wait type can help you optimize performance and minimize conflicts in your database environment.

What is LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS?

The LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS wait type occurs when a session is waiting to acquire an Intent Shared (IS) lock, but other transactions are blocking it. SQL Server waits for those blocking transactions to be aborted or resolved before proceeding with the IS lock request. IS locks are commonly used when a transaction intends to read data without modifying it, ensuring consistency while allowing other operations to proceed.

In simpler terms, this wait type means SQL Server is pausing a read operation while it waits for conflicting transactions to finish or be aborted. Although some waits are normal, frequent or prolonged waits may indicate underlying contention issues in your workload.

Why Does LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS Happen?

Several factors can lead to LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS waits, including:

• Long-running transactions holding incompatible locks on the target resource.
• High levels of contention for the same tables, indexes, or partitions.
• Queries with inefficient execution plans or missing indexes, causing longer lock durations.
• Concurrency issues during peak usage periods, leading to overlapping transactions.
• Improper transaction isolation levels increasing the likelihood of blocking conflicts.

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

How to Monitor LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS Waits

Monitoring LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS waits is crucial for understanding their frequency and impact. The Database Health Monitor provides an excellent way to track this wait type. Its Historic Waits Monitoring feature allows you to observe when these waits occur, their duration, and their correlation with system activity.

Using Database Health Monitor, you can identify patterns in these waits and determine whether they are caused by blocking chains, resource contention, or inefficient queries, enabling you to take targeted corrective actions.

What Can You Do About LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS Waits?

If you experience frequent or prolonged LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS waits, consider the following steps:

• Analyze blocking chains using tools like Activity Monitor or Extended Events to identify and resolve transactions causing conflicts.
• Optimize queries to reduce lock durations and improve performance.
• Ensure indexes are properly designed to support efficient data retrieval and reduce contention.
• Adjust transaction isolation levels to balance concurrency and consistency based on workload needs.
• Partition large tables to limit the scope of locks and minimize contention.
• Break long-running operations into smaller transactions to reduce the likelihood of blocking.
• Schedule non-critical operations during off-peak hours to avoid competing with high-priority workloads.

These measures can help alleviate blocking issues and reduce the impact of LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS waits on your SQL Server environment.

Why Use Database Health Monitor?

The Database Health Monitor is an essential tool for tracking SQL Server wait types, including LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS. Its Historic Waits Monitoring feature provides actionable insights into wait trends, helping you identify and resolve performance bottlenecks. With Database Health Monitor, you can maintain a high-performing and efficient SQL Server environment.

Start using Database Health Monitor today to monitor and optimize your SQL Server’s performance, ensuring smooth and reliable database operations!

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Applies to

Related Waits

See Also

• More About LCK_M_IS_ABORT_BLOCKERS