How to fix Error 5810 on Windows Server 2025 / Windows 11

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Troubleshooting Guide: SQL Server Error 5810 — Invalid Fill Factor Value

Why This Error Happens

Error 5810 occurs when a FILLFACTOR value specified in an index creation or rebuild statement falls outside the valid range of 0 to 100. This typically happens due to a typo, a corrupted or auto-generated deployment script, or a dynamic SQL statement that calculates the fill factor incorrectly (resulting in a negative number or a value exceeding 100). In some cases, this also surfaces when legacy maintenance scripts or third-party tools pass an uninitialized or null variable that defaults to an out-of-range integer.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

Step 1: Identify the Offending Script or Query

  • Check SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) Query Results pane or SQL Server Agent Job History for the exact T-SQL statement that triggered Error 5810.
  • Look specifically for CREATE INDEX, ALTER INDEX, or sp_configure 'fill factor' statements.
  • Run the following to check the current server-wide default:
  EXEC sp_configure 'fill factor';

Step 2: Correct the Fill Factor Value in the Script

  • Open the script in SSMS or Azure Data Studio and locate the WITH (FILLFACTOR = n) clause.
  • Ensure n is an integer between 0 and 100 (inclusive). Common valid examples: 90, 80, 0 (which behaves like 100).
  • Fix dynamic SQL variables that calculate fill factor, ensuring no arithmetic operation can produce a negative or >100 result:
  DECLARE @FillFactor INT = 90;
  IF @FillFactor NOT BETWEEN 0 AND 100
      SET @FillFactor = 90; -- fallback safeguard

Step 3: Reset the Server-Level Default (If Applicable)

  • If the error originates from a server configuration rather than a single script, reset the instance-wide default fill factor using SSMS or PowerShell on Windows Server 2025/Windows 11.
  • Run the following in a query window connected via SSMS:
  EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1;
  RECONFIGURE;
  EXEC sp_configure 'fill factor', 90;
  RECONFIGURE;
  • Restart the SQL Server service via services.msc or Restart-Service -Name MSSQLSERVER in an elevated PowerShell session for changes to take full effect.

Step 4: Validate Index Maintenance Jobs

  • Review any SQL Server Agent jobs or Ola Hallengren maintenance solution scripts that rebuild indexes with custom fill factor logic.
  • Correct any @FillFactor parameter passed into stored procedures like IndexOptimize to ensure it stays within the 0–100 bound.

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • Re-run the corrected CREATE INDEX or ALTER INDEX statement and confirm it completes without Error 5810; check sys.indexes to verify the fill_factor column reflects the intended value.
  • If the issue persists in automated jobs, add input validation/sanitization logic in the calling application or ETL tool before the value reaches SQL Server, preventing out-of-range values from ever being submitted.