SQL Server 2016: sunset date 2026-07-14
The sunset date for SQL Server 2016 (end of Extended Support) was 2026-07-14, which is 98 days before 2026-10-20, the reference date for every days-left figure on this site. Mainstream Support ended on 2021-07-13. The source was read on 2026-10-14.
- Provider
- Microsoft
- Category
- database
- Sunset date
- 2026-07-14 (already passed, 98 days ago as of 2026-10-20)
- What stops working
- Extended Support for SQL Server 2016 (Developer, Enterprise, Enterprise Core, Express, Standard and Web editions) has ended, so the standard security updates stop. The Learn page also lists Extended Security Updates (ESU) periods: Year 1 from 7/15/2026 to 7/13/2027, Year 2 from 7/14/2027 to 7/18/2028 and Year 3 from 7/19/2028 to 7/17/2029. Eligibility and terms for ESU are set by Microsoft; check them there.
- Replacement
- A supported SQL Server release such as SQL Server 2022 or SQL Server 2025, or the ESU program while you migrate
Source
SQL Server 2016, Microsoft Lifecycle, Microsoft Learn (learn.microsoft.com). Read on 2026-10-14. The page lists start 6/1/2016 8:00:00 AM, mainstream end 7/14/2021 6:59:59 AM, extended end 7/15/2026 6:59:59 AM and Service Pack 3 ending 7/15/2026 6:59:59 AM, with times labelled Pacific Time.
Official source (copy into your browser): https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sql-server-2016
Date note: the 6:59:59 AM stamp falls on the day after Patch Tuesday. This site reports the preceding day, 2026-07-14 for Extended Support and 2021-07-13 for Mainstream Support, both Patch Tuesdays. The ESU years are shown as the page lists them (8:00 AM stamps). Confirm the dates on the Microsoft page before acting.
Related sunsets
- SQL Server end of life: all SQL Server dates
- SQL Server 2017 (2027-10-12)
- SQL Server 2019 (2030-01-08)
Earlier 34-date snapshot as one CSV + PDF calendar (this site lists more dates than the file)