Fixing Commvault SQL Error: [30:436] – Instance Validation Failed Due to Insufficient SQL Server Role

When working with Commvault backup and recovery solutions, administrators may encounter SQL-related errors during configuration or job execution. One such common error is:

Error Code: [30:436]
Description: Instance validation failed: Insufficient SQL Server role.
To configure the instance, the user must be a member of the SYSADMIN SQL server role.
Source: commvault, Process: JobManager

This error prevents Commvault from completing instance validation, which is critical for proper backup and restore operations. Let’s break down the cause and provide a step-by-step solution.

---

Why Does This Error Occur?

Commvault requires elevated permissions on the underlying Microsoft SQL Server instance it connects to.
If the user account running the Commvault process (JobManager, services, or installer) does not belong to the SQL Server SYSADMIN role, the validation will fail.

In short: your account doesn’t have enough privileges inside SQL Server.

---

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Log in to SQL Server

• Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).

• Security--> Logins-->NT Authority/System we need to give the sysadmin role permission.

• If your are using any dedicate user account you need to give permission for that add the sysadmin role.

•  Connect to the target SQL Server instance using a sysadmin-level account (e.g., sa or a DBA account).

• 
  
  
  

---

2. Grant SYSADMIN Role to the Commvault Account

Identify the Windows or SQL account that Commvault is using (commonly the Commvault service account).
Add it to the sysadmin role.

Run the following SQL command:

USE [master];
ALTER SERVER ROLE sysadmin ADD MEMBER [DOMAIN\CommvaultUser];

Or, use the GUI:

• Expand Security → Logins.

• Right-click the Commvault login → Properties.

• Go to Server Roles → check sysadmin → click OK.

---

3. Retry the Commvault Operation

Once the account has sysadmin privileges:

• Restart the Commvault job or re-run the instance configuration.

• The error [30:436] should no longer appear.

---

4. Configure Directly in Commvault Application (Alternative Fix)

If you prefer handling it within Commvault instead of SQL Server:

1. Open the Commvault console.

2. Navigate to the Client hosting the SQL Instance.

3. Right-click on the SQL Instance → Properties.

4. Go to Accounts.

5. Select Override higher-level settings.

6. Choose Use Local System Account.

For many environments, this immediately resolves the error and allows jobs to run without modifying SQL roles manually.

Best Practices

• Always use a dedicated service account for Commvault SQL operations.

• Grant sysadmin during setup/configuration.

• After installation, follow Commvault documentation to review if permissions can be reduced while maintaining functionality.

• Document all service accounts and permissions for audit and compliance.

---

Conclusion

The Commvault Error Code [30:436] is caused by insufficient SQL Server permissions.

You can fix it by:

• Adding the Commvault account to SQL sysadmin role, or

• Adjusting account settings directly in the Commvault application (using the Local System Account option).

Both methods work — choose the one best suited to your organization’s security and compliance needs.