SQL Server 2019 Express installation fails on Windows 11 with SQLWriter service and Windows Installer DLL errors

Question

SQL Server 2019 Express installation fails on Windows 11 with SQLWriter service and Windows Installer DLL errors

sagar miroliya 0

I am trying to install Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express on Windows 11 (64-bit). The installation fails with the following errors:

Service 'SQL Server VSS Writer' (SQLWriter) failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start system services.

There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A DLL required for this installation to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor.

I have already run the installer as Administrator, restarted the system, checked Windows Updates, and attempted a clean installation, but the issue persists.

Any guidance on resolving these installation errors would be greatly appreciated.

Erland Sommarskog 136.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-23T08:34:22.15+00:00

In C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\150\Setup Bootstrap\Log there is one folder per installation attempt. Can you look in the most recent folder and upload the files summary.txt and detail.txt.

Did this happen on your first attempt, or have you made multiple attempts (and the error on the first attempt might have been different)?

1 answer

Your answer

Erland Sommarskog 136.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-23T08:34:22.15+00:00

In C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\150\Setup Bootstrap\Log there is one folder per installation attempt. Can you look in the most recent folder and upload the files summary.txt and detail.txt.

Did this happen on your first attempt, or have you made multiple attempts (and the error on the first attempt might have been different)?

Answer 1

Please start by reading the actual error. Open C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\150\Setup Bootstrap\Log\Summary.txt and the Detail.txt in the newest timestamped subfolder, and search for Error or the failing custom action. This reveals the real cause rather than relying on guesswork.
Reinstall the VC++ Redistributable. The "DLL could not be run" message usually points to a corrupted runtime. Installing the latest x64 VC++ 2015–2022 (vc_redist.x64.exe) from Microsoft and then rebooting often resolves it.
Check the SQLWriter service. Running sc qc SQLWriter will show its actual path and state. I'd only suggest deleting it (sc delete SQLWriter) if this machine has no working SQL instance you rely on, since doing so would affect VSS backups for any existing instance. A reboot afterward is a good idea.