How to fix Error 11550 on Windows Server 2025 / Windows 11

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Troubleshooting Guide: Error 11550 – Remote Metadata Discovery Failed

Why This Error Happens

Error 11550 occurs when SQL Server 2025 cannot retrieve metadata for a remote statement, typically because the linked server connection lacks sufficient permissions to query schema information on the remote instance. This can also result from the remote provider’s OLE DB driver failing to expose metadata correctly, or from a network interruption during the metadata handshake. In some cases, the issue stems from the DisallowAdHocAccess setting or outdated provider configurations blocking metadata discovery entirely.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

Step 1: Verify Linked Server Permissions

  • Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and connect to the local instance.
  • Navigate to Server Objects > Linked Servers, right-click the affected linked server, and select Properties.
  • Under the Security page, ensure the login mapping has db_datareader and metadata query rights on the remote server.
  • Run EXEC sp_testlinkedserver 'YourLinkedServerName'; to confirm basic connectivity works.

Step 2: Check OLE DB Provider Settings

  • Go to Server Objects > Linked Servers > Providers in SSMS.
  • Right-click the relevant provider (e.g., MSOLEDBSQL) and select Properties.
  • Ensure “Allow InProcess” and “Nested Queries” checkboxes are enabled.
  • Restart the SQL Server service after changes: Restart-Service MSSQLSERVER in PowerShell (run as Administrator).

Step 3: Enable Ad Hoc Distributed Queries

  • Open a new query window in SSMS and run the following to confirm ad hoc access is allowed:
EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1;
RECONFIGURE;
EXEC sp_configure 'Ad Hoc Distributed Queries', 1;
RECONFIGURE;
  • If this setting was previously disabled, metadata discovery for remote statements will consistently fail.

Step 4: Validate Network and Firewall Rules

  • Confirm that Windows Server 2025 / Windows 11 firewall allows outbound traffic on the SQL Server port (default 1433) to the remote server.
  • Use Test-NetConnection -ComputerName <RemoteServerName> -Port 1433 in PowerShell to confirm connectivity.
  • Check for any TLS/SSL certificate mismatches in SQL Server Configuration Manager > Protocols for MSSQLSERVER.

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • Run the original failing query again and confirm Error 11550 no longer appears in the SQL Server Error Log (Management > SQL Server Logs in SSMS).
  • If the issue persists, explicitly specify the result set schema using the WITH RESULT SETS clause in your remote query to bypass automatic metadata discovery entirely.