Enable Mail Profile – Back to Basics

I’ve seen many people go through the trouble of setting up database mail and configuring SQL Agent Alerts only to realize it’s not working. The reason in the cases I’ve seen is because they have simply neglected to assign a mail profile to SQL Agent. This is way more common than you would think, thus I wrote this quick blog.

This check box and drop down can sometimes lead to hours of troubleshooting if you don’t know where to look. In order to receive the alerts, you must enable a mail profile. This would be the profile  created during the Database Mail configuration process.

To configure SQL Server Agent to use Database Mail

  • In Object Explorer, expand a SQL Server instance.
  • Right-click SQL Server Agent, and then click Properties.
  • Click Alert System.
  • Select Enable Mail Profile.
  • In the Mail system list, select Database Mail.
  • In the Mail profile list, select a mail profile for Database Mail.
  • Restart SQL Server Agent.

There are many reasons why Database Mail may fail to send Alerts, but make sure you have this configuration set before spending hours trouble shooting.

A Side Note:

If you want to learn how to setup your alerts and operators I’ve already written a blog on that with scripts you can find it here.

About Monica Rathbun

Monica Rathbun lives in Virginia, is a Microsoft MVP for Data Platform and Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert. She has nearly two decades of experience working with a wide variety of database platforms with a focus on SQL Server and the Microsoft Data Platform. She is a frequent speaker at IT industry conferences on topics including performance tuning and configuration management. She is the Leader of the Hampton Roads SQL Server User Group. She is passionate about SQL Server and the SQL Server community, doing anything she can to give back. Monica can always be found on Twitter (@sqlespresso) handing out helpful tips. You can find Monica blogging at sqlespresso.com 
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