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Netwrix Auditor Widgets Show the SQL Server Error 18452, Login Failed

Symptom​

When attempting to specify the default SQL instance, the following error is prompted:

SQL Server error occurred (18452, Login failed. The login is from an untrusted domain and cannot be used with Windows authentication.).

Causes​

An SQL Server instance is refusing the connection and Netwrix Auditor is just passing the message along. The below are possible causes of the error:

  1. The default Windows Authentication mode may cause issues when connecting to the SQL Server.
  2. An unrecognized Windows principal is used when trying to connect to SQL Server. In this case, Windows can’t verify the login. This might be because the Windows login is from an untrusted domain.
  3. The SQL Server Authentication connection mode is used; however, the login does not exist on SQL Server.

Resolutions​

Review the possible resolution scenarios:

  1. For cause 1. Switch to the Mixed authentication mode.
    1. Open SQL Server Management Studio.
    2. Right-click your server and select Properties.
    3. In the Server Properties dialog, select the Security tab.
    4. Enable the SQL Server and Windows Authentication mode checkbox.
  2. For cause 2. Make sure that you are logged in to the correct domain.
  3. For cause 3. Verify that this SQL login exists.