A deadlock occurs when 2 processes are competing for exclusive access to a resource but is unable to obtain exclusive access to it because the other process is preventing it. … SQL Server automatically detects when deadlocks have occurred and takes action by killing one of the processes known as the victim.

What is a deadlock in a database?

In a database, a deadlock is a situation in which two or more transactions are waiting for one another to give up locks. For example, Transaction A might hold a lock on some rows in the Accounts table and needs to update some rows in the Orders table to finish.

What is deadlock in SQL Server and how do we resolve?

The only way to resolve a SQL Server deadlock is to terminate one of the processes and free up the locked resource so the process can complete. This occurs automatically when SQL Server detects a deadlock and kills off one of the competing processes (i.e., the victim).