Wait on the Database Engine recovery handle failed. Check the SQL server error log for potential causes.
I am pretty sure that you have installed Microsoft SQL Server a number of times without any problem. The installation process is quite simple and easy to follow. There is no big information required during the installation process. The system gives the simple options and also already available user accounts for the services. There may be a chance to install Microsoft SQL Server on Active directory server and encounter this error Wait on the Database Engine recovery handle failed. Here comes the tricky thing. You chose the default options and tried to install it. In the middle of the desert you see this error. The installation will fail and you won’t be able to see any service in the services panel. All you can do is to remove the complete Microsoft SQL Server which is not a very simple job.
I would like to share my environment first and then will provide the solution of this error. I was trying to install it on a domain controller because that was the only server available in the environment. Although its not recommended to install Microsoft SQL server on a domain controller but you can install it. While installation, The installation process provide standard accounts for the services like database engine, SQL browser, SQL Server agent, etc.
Solution!!!!
You need to create new account in active directory, ideally one account for each service. Once you are done with the creation of the accounts, add the respective accounts in the services of the Microsoft SQL Server. After using the specific users created in active directory for the Microsoft SQL Server Start the installation process. It will be completed without any problem and you will be good to go. I hope this will help someone to accomplish the installation of Microsoft SQL Server task on a domain controller. Feel free comment and share with your social media friends.
