What is the process of Upgrading from SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 to SP3?

388    Asked by AndrewJenkins in SQL Server , Asked on Jul 12, 2021

I have to install the Service Pack 3 on an SQL instance running with the SP1. No test, the install is directly on the production server. Well this is not a complex task and the topic has been already asked for another version, but I'd like to be sure to not forget some steps and having feedback from experienced dba is always welcome. Here my custom planned checklist :

  • 1.list all bugs that have been addressed in the Service Pack.
  • 2.Take a virtual machine backup and backup all the databases.
  • 3.Disable SQL Server agent.
  • 4.Apply the Sp.
  • 5.Restart server/instance if needed.
  • 6.Check for the Service Pack level of the SQL Instance.
  • 7.Check for all entries in SQL Server Error Log about the Service Pack update and ensure there are no errors written.
  • 8.Refering step N°1, check for eventuals bug issues.
  • 9.Enable SQL Server Agent.

From the client side : Check for any compatibility problem between his software and the SP3. After the install, check for client connectivity between DB/software. Is there any step you'll find pertinent to add/remove/modify to this ?


  • Service Pack 3 for sql server 2008 r2 service pack 2. All our SQL server 2008r2 service pack 2 are at the latest patch level of 2008R2. We had installed SP3 first on Development, Test and Acceptance. Wait 2 weeks and edit some application tests before we install SP3 on our Production Environment. Before we installed SP3 on our 2008R2 Servers we stopped our maintenance jobs and SQL Server Jobs which had connection with some important applications. We also stopped some web applications which had connections to our SQL Server databases. If the SQL Servers are VM's you could make a snapshot. We only made a Full Backup and stopped some important web applications. Then we installed SP3. You don't have to stop SQL server agent due the installation process, SQL Agent and SQL Server will be stopped and started. Be aware sometime there is a pending reboot on the SQL Server. During the installation process at the end you could receive an error with pending reboot. You first have to reboot your SQL Server then you can install SP3. After SP3 is installed you should reboot your SQL Server.



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