Cannot connect to local SQL Server Express 2008 R2

Question

I just installed SQL Server Express 2008 R2 and I have a problem connecting to it using the SQL Server Management Studio (locally).

All SQL Server services are started

Answer 1

The same error can happen if your SQLEXPRESS instance is not started. To verify the service is started: - run services.msc - Look for the "SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)" service, status should be "Started", if it is not, try to start it manually.