Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: unixODBC Driver Manager SQL Server Error

Error with unixODBC Driver Manager SQL Server Error in Ubuntu Disco Dingo (19.04) and Azure Data Studio v1.5.2.

Quick Answer: Check the odbcinst.ini file locations and ensure consistency between them to resolve the issue.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. ✨ Wrapping Up

The unixODBC Driver Manager SQL Server Error occurs when attempting to connect to an instance of MSSQL using Azure Data Studio v1.5.2 on Ubuntu Disco Dingo (development branch) 19.04. This error is frustrating as it prevents users from accessing their SQL databases, and resolving it requires careful troubleshooting.

The issue arises primarily due to a version mismatch between the installed ODBC Driver for Linux and the operating system. Additionally, the presence of multiple odbcinst.ini files in different locations can cause confusion and lead to incorrect driver paths.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is the incompatibility between the Microsoft ODBC Server 2017 Driver for Linux (version: Ubuntu 18.10) and the new version of Ubuntu Disco Dingo (development branch) 19.04. The driver is not optimized for the newer operating system, leading to compatibility issues.
  • Another potential cause is the presence of multiple odbcinst.ini files in different locations, which can confuse the unixODBC Driver Manager and lead to incorrect driver paths.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Resolving Version Mismatch

  1. Step 1: Update the ODBC Driver for Linux to a version compatible with Ubuntu Disco Dingo (development branch) 19.04. This can be done by installing the latest version of the driver or by compiling it from source using the appropriate build tools.
  2. Step 2: Verify that the updated driver is installed correctly and that its path is correctly configured in the odbcinst.ini file.

Resolving ODBCinst.ini Confusion

  1. Step 1: Remove or rename one of the duplicate odbcinst.ini files to avoid confusion. It's recommended to keep only the file located at /opt/microsoft/msodbcsql17/etc/odbcinst.ini.
  2. Step 2: Update the path in the remaining odbcinst.ini file to point to the correct location of the ODBC Driver for Linux.

✨ Wrapping Up

To resolve the unixODBC Driver Manager SQL Server Error, it's essential to address the version mismatch between the installed ODBC Driver and the operating system. Additionally, resolving any confusion caused by multiple odbcinst.ini files is crucial. By following these steps, users can successfully connect to their MSSQL instance using Azure Data Studio v1.5.2 on Ubuntu Disco Dingo (development branch) 19.04.

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