Write Execution Trace Messages to the SQL

Server Agent Error Log (SQL Server

Management Studio)
This topic describes how to configure Microsoft SQL Server Agent to include execution trace
messages in its error log in SQL Server 2016 by using SQL Server Management Studio.

In This Topic

Before you begin:

Limitations and Restrictions

Security

To write execution trace messages to the SQL Server Agent Error Log using SQL Server
Management Studio

Before You Begin

Limitations and Restrictions

Object Explorer only displays the SQL Server Agent node if you have permission to use
it.

Because this option can cause the error log to become large, only include execution trace
messages in SQL Server Agent error logs when investigating a specific SQL Server Agent
problem.

Security

Permissions

To perform its functions, SQL Server Agent must be configured to use the credentials of an
account that is a member of the sysadmin fixed server role in SQL Server . The account must
have the following Windows permissions:

Log on as a service (SeServiceLogonRight)

Replace a process-level token (SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege)

 Bypass traverse checking (SeChangeNotifyPrivilege)

Adjust memory quotas for a process (SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege)

For more information about the Windows permissions required for the SQL Server Agent service
account, see Select an Account for the SQL Server Agent Service and Setting Up Windows
Service Accounts.

To write execution trace messages to the SQL Server Agent error log

1. In Object Explorer, click the plus sign to expand the server that contains the SQL Server
Agent error log to which you want to write execution trace messages.

2. Right-click SQL Server Agent and select Properties.

3. In the SQL Server Agent Properties server_name dialog box, under Error log on the
General page, select the Include execution trace messages check box.

4. Click OK.