SQL Server 2022: Cumulative Update 13 (KB5036432) Now Available

Table of Contents

Microsoft has released Cumulative Update 13 (CU13) for SQL Server 2022. This update, identified as KB5036432, encompasses a collection of 15 vital fixes and improvements implemented after the release of Cumulative Update 12. This CU is designed to enhance the stability, performance, and security of your SQL Server 2022 instances. It is highly recommended to apply this update to ensure your SQL Server environment is running optimally and is protected with the latest patches. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the key changes, known issues, and installation guidance for CU13.

Key Updates and Version Information¶

Released on May 16, 2024, Cumulative Update 13 brings the SQL Server 2022 version to 16.0.4125.3. This update applies to several core components of SQL Server, ensuring consistent versioning across the platform. Specifically, the updated components include:

• SQL Server Engine: Product version: 16.0.4125.3, File version: 2022.160.4125.3
• Analysis Services: Product version: 16.0.43.233, File version: 2022.160.43.233

It is important to verify these version numbers after applying the update to confirm successful installation. Keeping your SQL Server components updated is crucial for maintaining a healthy and secure database infrastructure.

Addressing Patching Error in Availability Groups¶

A critical issue has been identified in Cumulative Update 13 related to patching secondary replicas within an Availability Group (AG) environment, specifically when databases are enabled for replication, Change Data Capture (CDC), or utilize SSISDB. While CU13 included a fix (2998350) intended to improve the reliability of secondary database startup in AGs, it inadvertently introduced a regression in specific scenarios.

The Patching Problem¶

The intended fix 2998350 can cause AG databases to fail to start recovery if SQL Server is operating in single-user mode. SQL Server Setup, by design, operates in single-user mode during patching. Consequently, if you are patching a SQL Server instance that hosts an Availability Group with databases configured for SQL replication, CDC, or SSISDB, the setup process might fail during the catalog upgrade script execution due to database access issues in single-user mode.

This initial setup failure is often followed by the SQL Server service attempting to restart without single-user mode. During this subsequent startup, the patch upgrade scripts typically complete successfully, and the patching process finalizes. Although the issue resolves itself upon successful startup, the initial failure can be disruptive and generate error messages.

Error Manifestation¶

The patching failure typically presents with the following error message:

Error installing SQL Server Database Engine Services Instance Features
Wait on the Database Engine recovery handle failed. Check the SQL Server error log for potential causes.
Error code: 0x851A001A

Upon inspecting the SQL Server error log, you will likely find messages indicating an invalid Group ID. To confirm this, compare the Group ID in the error message with Group IDs from previous successful startup records for the same database within the same error log file. A valid startup record will typically include a message similar to:

Skipping the default startup of database <DatabaseName> because the database belongs to an availability group (Group ID: <GroupID>). The database will be started by the availability group. This is an informational message only. No user action is required.

Workarounds to Prevent Initial Patch Failure¶

To proactively prevent the initial patch failure during the CU13 installation, you can implement one of the following workarounds before initiating the patching process:

1. Enable Trace Flag 12347: Activating Trace Flag 12347 will revert the changes introduced by fix 2998350. This effectively disables the problematic behavior during patching. Important: Remember to remove this trace flag after the patching process is complete to ensure the intended fix 2998350 is active post-patching. Trace flags should be used cautiously and only when necessary.

2. Remove SSISDB, CDC, or Replication Databases from the AG: Temporarily removing databases enabled for SSISDB, CDC, or replication from the Availability Group before patching can prevent the issue. After patching, these databases can be re-added to the AG. This approach requires careful planning and consideration of the impact on your high availability configuration.

3. Remove CDC or Replication from the Database in the AG: If removing the entire database from the AG is not feasible, consider temporarily disabling CDC or replication on the affected databases within the AG before patching. Re-enable these features after the CU13 installation is successful. This option requires understanding the dependencies of CDC and replication in your environment.

Microsoft is actively working on a definitive fix for this patching issue, which will be included in a future Cumulative Update. It is recommended to stay informed about subsequent CU releases for a permanent resolution.

Comprehensive Fixes and Improvements in CU13¶

Cumulative Update 13 incorporates 15 specific fixes addressing various issues across different SQL Server components. These fixes aim to improve the overall reliability, performance, and functionality of SQL Server 2022. The following table summarizes the key bug fixes included in this update:

| Bug Reference | Description | Fix area | Component | Platform |
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