# October update leaves SQL Server linked database connections open

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/microsoft-admits-sql-servers-might-wobble-after-october-update/
- Published: 2026-11-12T12:06:04+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T12:49:12+00:00
- Original publisher: The Register
- Original article: https://www.theregister.com/databases/2026/11/12/microsoft-admits-sql-servers-might-wobble-after-october-update/5309349
- Topics: Software, Technology

## Key points

- An October update can leave SQL Server linked database connections open.
- Accumulating connections may degrade performance over time.
- Microsoft says a fix is expected within days.

## Summary

Microsoft says its 13 October update, KB5126646, can leave connections open after SQL Server linked server queries finish. As those connections build up, server performance can slow or degrade, potentially affecting systems that use external databases.

The issue affects linked server queries using OLE DB providers, with PostgreSQL and Oracle among the examples Microsoft cites. Administrators can close idle connections or restart the SQL service temporarily, though either action may interrupt active work and the problem can return. Microsoft offers a mitigation through business support and says an out-of-band update is expected within days; affected Windows versions range from Windows 10 1809 and Windows Server 2012 up to Windows 11 25H2 and Windows Server 2025.

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