SQL Server 2016 SP2 Cumulative Update 12: Fixes and New Features for Better Performance and Stability

SQL Server 2016 SP2 Cumulative Update 12 has arrived, bringing with it an extensive list of bug fixes for the 2016 release. If you’re running SQL Server 2016, it’s essential to update your system to ensure it keeps running smoothly.

Among the numerous bug fixes, the Cumulative Update addresses some significant issues that can cause SQL Server to shut down or crash frequently, including:

• SQL Server can shut down when you hit the max number of sessions
• SQL Server can shut down due to lock conflicts during error message processing
• “SQL Server crashes frequently” when you check a clustered columnstore index for corruption

In addition, AGs (Availability Groups) may experience an “interruption,” which could mean that the AG stops replicating. Meanwhile, change tracking auto-cleanup can cause access violations and stack dumps, and access violations may occur when Extended Events capture query text on busy servers.

There are also several fixes for stack dumps, including when querying persisted computed columns and running a batch mode query with multiple joins. Additionally, scalar functions run slower than they did on SQL Server 2008 R2.

Other significant bug fixes include a non-yielding scheduler when the primary AG replica runs low on memory, AGs thinking there’s a missing log block when the database isn’t very active, and AG automatic seeding failing.

There is also a new feature: the default system health Extended Events session can store much more data now, and users can edit how much it holds.

Overall, this CU12 for SQL Server 2016 SP2 is a critical update that addresses many bugs and issues. To download the update, visit the Microsoft Support website.

URL References:

• https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb5001092-cumulative-update-12-for-sql-server-2016-sp2-94b9d7cb-8592-2b3f-9a60-c92d61e478a1