Avamar: SQL backup fails with "SQL Server WMI provider is not available"

Summary: SQL backup fails with "SQL Server WMI provider is not available"

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Symptoms

Avamar SQL backups may fail with errors similar to the following below:

avsql Error <40258>: sqlconnectimpl_smo::get_installed_instance_list Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.SmoException: SQL Server WMI provider is not available on SQLMACHINE. ---> System.Management.ManagementException: Invalid namespace

 

Cause

The Backup Agent (avagent) service is running with an NT domain user account, even if that account has the sysadmin role assigned to it in SQL Server Management Studio.

By default, the avagent service runs with the default local SYSTEM account.

 

Resolution

Change the avagent service account back to the local SYSTEM and restart the service for the changes to take effect. Ensure that the "NT Authority\SYSTEM" account has the sysadmin role assigned to it in SQL Server Management Studio.

If the above workaround is not feasible, then open a new service request with DELL support and reference this KB article.

 

Affected Products

Avamar

Products

Avamar, Avamar Plug-in for SQL
Article Properties
Article Number: 000052980
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 20 Nov 2025
Version:  5
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