SQL Search does not start in SSMS 18.5

Question

I have updated SSMS to v18.5 and then uninstall SQL Search, downloaded the latest one and installed. SSMS started, I click button "SQL Search" - no any errors/exceptions but SQL Search does not start. I have repeated these actions on 2 workstations W7 and W10. The same result. How to fix it?

Sun

Is there anything in the log file (%localappdata%\Red Gate\Logs\SQLSearch 3) that might show what the problem is? – Fighter

Having the same issue, just updated ssms to 18.5 and SQL search won't open. Nothing in the logs as well. – Pentose

Because this is top on Google: if in someone's case, it DOES start but is greyed out, disconnect object explorer and then reconnect to make it work. – Generality

Answer 1

SSMS 18.10 + latest SQLSearch - work fine.

Sun

Answer 2

Ok there is some issue with SQL Search version 3.0, but when I tried SQL Search version 3.5 it is working fine. Download it from here: v3.5.2.2607

More details here

Newer versions of SQL Search are listed here.

Pentose

Thanks, the problem is that the default download page points still to version 3.4. red-gate.com/products/sql-development/sql-search/installer – Filberto

3.5 works for me too. Not sure why the download from RedGate is 3.4 though. – Sentimentalism

Still broken as of 9/9/2020. 3.5 working it appears. – Leopoldeen

Try removing and install this exact version: v3.5.2.2607 – Pentose

I think @Leopoldeen is trying to say that the default download from the Redgate site is still 3.4x and broken. I am surprised that they haven't updated it yet. – Northwestwards

Got it... Yes, it's surprising they have not yet updated even though they know and replied to a similar issue on their own forums. – Pentose

@Shekar Thank you. That was what I was trying to get across. – Leopoldeen

Answer 3

Try to install this version : https://download.red-gate.com/checkforupdates/SQLSearch/SQLSearch_3.5.0.2590.exe

It works fine for me

Glutathione

Answer 4

I'm seeing the same issue in SQL Search 3.5.5.2703

The Redgate Forums have this workaround which worked for me:

I think you are running into an issue we are aware of and working on. Apologies for the hassle! As a workaround, could I ask you to try the following?

• disconnect your SQL server from SSMS Object explorer
• Close and reopen SQL Search
• Reconnect your SQL Server

Speller

Answer 5

I encountered this issue after upgrading my SSMS instance to 20.0 and none of the suggestions worked, so for anyone who is looking for another bit of help.

The only solution that worked was uninstalling both SQL Search and the SSMS Integration Pack and installing them again. You can install SQL Search manually, but if you don't have the integration pack or there is an issue with said pack, then it will never appear.

I was able to install the pack via the SQL Developer Bundle which installed the latest version of SQL Search alongside it.

Jene