--- title: "Stop-DbaProcess" description: "Terminates SQL Server processes (SPIDs) to resolve blocking, kill runaway queries, or clean up connections." url: "https://dbatools.io/Stop-DbaProcess/" availability: "Windows, Linux, macOS" tags: ["Diagnostic", "Process"] author: "Chrissy LeMaire (@cl), netnerds.net" source: "https://github.com/dataplat/dbatools/blob/master/public/Stop-DbaProcess.ps1" last_updated: "2024-01-01" --- # Stop-DbaProcess ## Synopsis Terminates SQL Server processes (SPIDs) to resolve blocking, kill runaway queries, or clean up connections. ## Description Terminates SQL Server processes by targeting specific SPIDs, logins, hostnames, programs, or databases. This is essential for resolving blocking situations, stopping runaway queries that consume resources, or cleaning up abandoned connections from applications or users. The function automatically prevents you from killing your own connection session to avoid disconnecting yourself. You can filter processes by multiple criteria and use it alongside Get-DbaProcess to identify problem sessions before terminating them. ## Syntax ```powershell Stop-DbaProcess [-SqlCredential ] [-Spid ] [-ExcludeSpid ] [-Database ] [-Login ] [-Hostname ] [-Program ] [-EnableException] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [] Stop-DbaProcess -SqlInstance [-SqlCredential ] [-Spid ] [-ExcludeSpid ] [-Database ] [-Login ] [-Hostname ] [-Program ] [-EnableException] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [] Stop-DbaProcess [-SqlCredential ] [-Spid ] [-ExcludeSpid ] [-Database ] [-Login ] [-Hostname ] [-Program ] -InputObject [-EnableException] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [] ``` ## Examples ### Example 1: Finds all processes for base\ctrlb and sa on sqlserver2014a, then kills them ```powershell PS C:\> Stop-DbaProcess -SqlInstance sqlserver2014a -Login base\ctrlb, sa ``` Finds all processes for base\ctrlb and sa on sqlserver2014a, then kills them. Uses Windows Authentication to login to sqlserver2014a. ### Example 2: Finds processes for spid 56 and 57, then kills them ```powershell PS C:\> Stop-DbaProcess -SqlInstance sqlserver2014a -SqlCredential $credential -Spid 56, 77 ``` Finds processes for spid 56 and 57, then kills them. Uses alternative (SQL or Windows) credentials to login to sqlserver2014a. ### Example 3: Finds processes that were created in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, then kills them ```powershell PS C:\> Stop-DbaProcess -SqlInstance sqlserver2014a -Program 'Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio' ``` ### Example 4: Finds processes that were initiated (computers/clients) workstationx and server 1000, then kills them ```powershell PS C:\> Stop-DbaProcess -SqlInstance sqlserver2014a -Hostname workstationx, server100 ``` ### Example 5: Shows what would happen if the command were executed ```powershell PS C:\> Stop-DbaProcess -SqlInstance sqlserver2014 -Database tempdb -WhatIf ``` ### Example 6: Finds processes that were created with dbatools, then kills them ```powershell PS C:\> Get-DbaProcess -SqlInstance sql2016 -Program 'dbatools PowerShell module - dbatools.io' | Stop-DbaProcess ``` ### Required Parameters ##### -SqlInstance The target SQL Server instance or instances. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | True | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -InputObject Accepts process objects from Get-DbaProcess through the pipeline. Use this approach to first identify and review problematic sessions before terminating them, providing better control and verification of which processes will be killed. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | True | | Pipeline | true (ByValue) | | Default Value | | ### Optional Parameters ##### -SqlCredential Login to the target instance using alternative credentials. Accepts PowerShell credentials (Get-Credential). Windows Authentication, SQL Server Authentication, Active Directory - Password, and Active Directory - Integrated are all supported. For MFA support, please use Connect-DbaInstance. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -Spid Targets specific session IDs (SPIDs) for termination. Use this when you know the exact process ID causing problems, typically identified from blocking reports or activity monitors. You can specify multiple SPIDs to kill several problem sessions at once. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -ExcludeSpid Protects specific session IDs from termination even if they match other filter criteria. Use this to preserve important connections like monitoring tools or critical application sessions when killing processes by login, hostname, or database. This exclusion is applied last, overriding all other matching filters. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -Database Kills all active sessions connected to specified databases. Useful when you need to perform exclusive database operations like restores, schema changes, or when preparing for database maintenance. This will disconnect all users currently connected to the targeted databases. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -Login Terminates all active sessions for specified login names. Use this to disconnect all connections from a specific user account, such as when removing user access or troubleshooting login-specific issues. Supports multiple logins and accepts both Windows (DOMAIN\user) and SQL logins. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -Hostname Kills all sessions originating from specified client computer names. Useful when a problematic application server or workstation is creating excessive connections or when you need to force disconnect all sessions from a specific machine. Accepts multiple hostnames including both short names and FQDNs. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -Program Terminates sessions based on the client application name. Use this to disconnect all connections from specific applications like SSMS, poorly-behaved ETL tools, or misbehaving custom applications. Common program names include 'Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio' and various .NET application names. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -EnableException By default, when something goes wrong we try to catch it, interpret it and give you a friendly warning message. This avoids overwhelming you with "sea of red" exceptions, but is inconvenient because it basically disables advanced scripting. Using this switch turns this "nice by default" feature off and enables you to catch exceptions with your own try/catch. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | False | ##### -WhatIf If this switch is enabled, no actions are performed but informational messages will be displayed that explain what would happen if the command were to run. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | wi | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -Confirm If this switch is enabled, you will be prompted for confirmation before executing any operations that change state. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | cf | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ## Outputs **PSCustomObject** Returns one object per successfully killed process, confirming the termination action with session details. **Properties:** - SqlInstance: The name of the SQL Server instance where the process was terminated - Spid: The session ID (SPID) of the killed process - Login: The login name associated with the killed process - Host: The hostname or computer name where the client process originated - Database: The name of the database the killed session was connected to - Program: The application or program name that initiated the killed session - Status: Always set to "Killed" to confirm successful process termination Note: Processes matching filter criteria but matching ExcludeSpid, or the current session, or processes that fail to kill will not generate output objects. --- Part of [dbatools](https://dbatools.io/), a free and open source PowerShell module for SQL Server administration. Full command index: https://dbatools.io/commands/