How to enable TCP/IP connection for the SQL Server 2019 Express edition?
HRPro uses TCP/IP protocol to connect to the SQL Server but TCP/IP is disabled by default. To enable the TCP/IP protocol:
Turn on TCP/IP
1. Open SQL Server Configuration Manager (search SQLServerManager15.msc)
2. Find the Protocols for SQLEXPRESS (or your named instance) option.
3. Double Click and set Enabled to Yes.
4. Restart your SQL Server
Add Firewall Exceptions (If the Internet Information Server and SQL Server are installed inside the same Windows, Firewall Exceptions may not be required to be created).
Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click System and Security.
From the System and Security window, click the link to Allow an app through Windows Firewall.
Click the Allow another app... button. Click the Browse button.
Add Firewall Exceptions for these 2 programs
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL15.SQL2019\MSSQL\Binn\SQLServer.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared\SQLBrowser.exe
5. Click the Add button.
6. Click the OK button to save and apply the changes.