WMI Provider Error - Access Denied - TDSSNIClient initialization failed with error 0x5

I got an interesting error while trying to change the log on service account for SQL server.  I got a “WMI Provider Error” and a bunch of errors in the Windows Event Log.

Simple solution:

Restart.

The problem is simply, a Named Pipe issue.  Restarting re-creates the Named Pipe under the correct log on account.

If the restart fails, and you’re still having problems connecting to SQL Server Remotely, try the following:

• Set the log on account permissions on:

  C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server
  C:\DATA DIRECTORY

  for the log on account.  You’ll need to set “Full Control” permissions and make sure that you re-apply the rule to all children by clicking on the directory properties>Security>Advanced>Permissions>“Replace permission entries on all child objects…”

Hope that helps.