Failed Jobs

The Failed Jobs report provides a detailed list of SQL Server Agent jobs that have encountered failures. SQL Server Agent is responsible for running scheduled jobs, such as backups, maintenance tasks, and data processing. Monitoring failed jobs helps identify issues that may impact database performance, reliability, and automation.

Report Columns:

  • Instance Name – The SQL Server instance where the job was executed.
  • Job Name – The name of the SQL Server Agent job that failed.
  • Step Name – The specific step within the job that encountered an error.
  • Severity – Indicates the level of severity of the failure. Higher severity values typically represent more critical failures.
  • Message – The error message generated when the job failed. This message provides insight into the cause of the failure.
  • Run Time – The date and time when the job was executed and failed.

Understanding the Report:

  • Recurring Failures – If the same job fails multiple times, it may indicate an underlying issue that needs attention.
  • Step-Level Failures – If a specific job step fails, reviewing its configuration and execution history can help diagnose the problem.
  • Error Messages – The Message column provides useful details about the failure, which can guide troubleshooting efforts.
  • Severity Levels – Jobs with high severity failures should be addressed promptly to prevent system disruptions.

Recommended Actions:

  • Investigate failed jobs promptly to determine the cause of failure.
  • Review the error message for specific details and possible resolutions.
  • Check job history and execution logs in SQL Server Agent for additional context.
  • Ensure necessary permissions, database availability, and job dependencies are correctly configured.
  • If a job failure is expected (e.g., temporary network issues), consider implementing retry logic where appropriate.

Need Assistance?

If you need help troubleshooting SQL Server Agent job failures, optimizing job performance, or ensuring reliability, Stedman Solutions can assist. Our SQL Server Managed Services provide proactive monitoring and expert database management.

For expert support, contact us at Stedman Solutions.