SQL Server Database Health Checks

SQL Server Database Health Checks run checks against a selected database and show database-specific findings and recommendations.

When To Use Database Health Checks

• Before or after a release.
• During performance reviews.
• When a single database has recurring alerts.
• When database configuration, storage, or object-level issues are suspected.

Workflow

1. Open the database from SQL Server Databases.
2. Open DB Health Check.
3. Run or refresh health checks.
4. Review finding severity and detail.
5. Use Database Detail, Indexes, and Database Query Store for follow-up.

How To Prioritize Database Health Findings

Database Health Checks focus on risks and opportunities inside one SQL Server database. Use them when a single database has recurring alerts, unusual performance, storage growth, or configuration concerns. They are also useful before and after application releases because they create a repeatable review list.

Start with findings that affect availability, data safety, storage capacity, or user-visible performance. Then group lower-severity findings by owner: DBA work, developer work, storage work, or application configuration. Validate query and index recommendations with SQL Server Indexes, Database Query Store, and SQL Server Queries.

After remediation, re-run checks and keep the result for operational review. This makes health checks useful for managed service reporting, customer reviews, and internal improvement tracking.

Database Health Check FAQ

How are database health checks different from server health checks?

Database checks focus on one database. Server checks review instance-level risks such as configuration, jobs, memory, waits, and broader operational concerns.

Should every warning be fixed immediately?

No. Prioritize by severity, business impact, risk, and the effort required to change safely.

Can health checks replace DBA review?

No. They provide evidence and recommendations, but production changes still need review, testing, and approval.

Health Check Reference

The following Mini DBA SQL Server database health check detail pages explain the purpose of each check and the actions to take when a check fails.

Related Pages

• SQL Server health checks
• SQL Server database detail
• Reports