--- title: Troubleshooting “Execution Timeout Expired” and “Query Timeout Expired” Errors Using SSMS description: Timeout errors may occur when attempting to add, edit, or save transactions. The following information may help if you are receiving a lot of timeout errors throughout many areas of the software. --- [Skip to content](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/execution-timeout-expired-query-timeout-expired-errors#main-content) [Go to Customer Portal](https://hub.acctivate.com/tickets?hsLang=en) ![Acctivate - A CAI Solution](https://hub.acctivate.com/hubfs/Images/Logos/acctivate-cai-logo-svg.svg) - [Knowledge Base](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Knowledge Base](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles) - [Go to Customer Portal](https://hub.acctivate.com/tickets) - [Support Resources / Create Ticket](https://acctivate.com/support) [Support Resources / Create Ticket](https://acctivate.com/support) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles?hsLang=en) 2. [Troubleshoot](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/troubleshoot?hsLang=en) 3. [Database](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/troubleshoot?hsLang=en#database) November 21, 2025 # Troubleshooting “Execution Timeout Expired” and “Query Timeout Expired” Errors Using SSMS ## Timeout errors may occur when attempting to add, edit, or save transactions. The following information may help if you are receiving a lot of timeout errors throughout many areas of the software. When Acctivate users attempt to **add**, **edit**, or **save** transactions, such as Sales Orders, Receipts, Invoices, or Inventory updates, they may occasionally receive one of the following messages: - **Execution Timeout Expired** - **Query Timeout Expired** These symptoms are commonly caused by **blocking** or an **escalated lock** inside the Acctivate database which is powered by Microsoft SQL Server. This guide explains how to use **Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)** to identify and troubleshoot the blocking process that is responsible for the timeout errors. ### Why This Happens Acctivate uses SQL Server to process every transaction. If one SQL session holds a lock on a table for too long - because of a long-running transaction, report, sync, or other process - other sessions must wait. If the wait exceeds the command timeout, the user receives a timeout error. The most common underlying cause is: - A **table-level escalated lock** - A **user task or SQL job** that is stuck or running longer than normal - A **custom trigger** or process keeping records locked ### Solution When users receive **Execution Timeout Expired** or **Query Timeout Expired** errors in Acctivate, the root cause is often SQL blocking or an escalated lock. By tracing the **BlkBy** chain in SSMS and identifying the head-blocking SPID, you can quickly determine: - Which process is causing the lock - Which workstation/user is running it - Whether to let it complete or terminate it ### Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Your goal is to **identify the head-blocking SPID**, determine what it is doing, and decide whether it should be allowed to finish or manually terminated. ### 1. Connect to the Acctivate Database Server You can download and [install Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/ssms/install/install) if you don't already have it. 1. Launch **SQL Server Management Studio**. 2. **Connect to the SQL Server** instance hosting the Acctivate database (e.g., `SERVERNAME\ACCTIVATE` or similar). 3. You can probably **connect using Windows Authentication** if you're on the database server. Otherwise, you'll need to obtain your database server credentials. ### 2. Identify the Server Process ID (SPID) that's blocking us You can use either method. Both will show you which SQL sessions are being blocked and by whom. #### Option A: Using Activity Monitor 1. In Object Explorer, right-click the **Server Name** → **Activity Monitor**. 2. Expand the **Processes** pane. 3. Ensure the following columns are visible: 1. **Blocked By** 2. **ID** (SPID) 3. **Host Name** 4. **Login** 4. Look for sessions where: **Blocked By** is **not empty** or **not 0**. These represent Acctivate sessions waiting for another SPID to release its loc #### Option B: Using sp\_who2 1. Click **New Query**. 2. Run: `EXEC sp_who2` 3. Look for rows where **BlkBy** contains a number instead of `0` or `NULL` Example: | SPID | BlkBy | Status | Login | HostName | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 60 | 55 | RUNNABLE | sa | USER-PC | This means **SPID 60 is blocked by SPID 55**. ### 3. Trace the Blocking Chain to Find the Head Blocker Follow the blocking path until you find the SPID that is blocking others but not blocked itself: 1. Start with any SPID showing a non-zero **BlkBy**. 2. Look up the SPID listed in **BlkBy**. 3. Check **that** SPID’s **BlkBy** value. 4. Continue until you reach a SPID with **BlkBy = 0** (or blank). This is the **head-blocking SPID** - the one causing the timeout errors in Acctivate. ### 4. Determine What the Blocking SPID Is Doing Once you know the head-blocking SPID, identify the activity behind it. #### Option A: Using Activity Monitor 1. Locate the SPID in **Processes**. 2. Review: 1. **Host Name** – workstation running the query 2. **Login** – user identity 3. **Application** – Acctivate or another app 3. Right-click → **Details** to view the current SQL command. #### Option B: Using DBCC INPUTBUFFER #### Run the following command in SSMS, replacing \ with the SPID number. ####  DBCC INPUTBUFFER(\) This shows the last SQL statement issued by that session. Often you will see an Acctivate query, report query, or update process. #### Option C: Using Dynamic Management Views (More Detailed)  Again, replace \ with the SPID number from above. ``` SELECT r.session_id, s.login_name, s.host_name, r.status, r.blocking_session_id, r.wait_type, r.wait_time, SUBSTRING(t.text, (r.statement_start_offset/2) + 1, ((CASE r.statement_end_offset WHEN -1 THEN DATALENGTH(t.text) ELSE r.statement_end_offset END - r.statement_start_offset)/2) + 1) AS CurrentStatement, t.text AS FullBatchTextFROM sys.dm_exec_requests rJOIN sys.dm_exec_sessions s ON r.session_id = s.session_idCROSS APPLY sys.dm_exec_sql_text(r.sql_handle) tWHERE r.session_id = ``` This shows the running command, duration, and source. ### 5. Decide the Correct Action ### ✔ Allow It to Finish Recommended when: 1. It’s a legitimate Acctivate task (e.g., posting, sync, import) 2. It is progressing or expected to complete normally ### ✔ Contact the User If the SPID corresponds to a workstation: 1. Ask the user what they were doing (running a report, leaving a window open, etc.) 2. Ask them to close or cancel the process ### ⚠ Kill the SPID (Last Resort Only) If the blocking is severe and urgent: `KILL ` **Important:** Killing a SPID triggers a **rollback**, which may temporarily cause *more* blocking until the rollback completes. ### 6. 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