Unable to Watch Live Data on Extended Events Session I am running SQL Server 2014 Developer Edition on my PC.  I am trying to view the data in the system_health session.  In SSMS, I have connected to the database, expanded the server / Management / Extended Events / Sessions.  I see AlwaysON_health (stopped) and system_health (running).

When I right-click on the system_health session, I get the following error:


  The storage failed to initialize using the provided parameters. (Microsoft.SqlServer.XEventStorage)
     The Extended Events session named "system_health" could not be found. Make sure the session exists and is started. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 25728)


I expand system_health and see the targets package0.event_file and package0.ring_buffer.  If I right-click either target and choose "View Target Data", I get this error:


  The storage failed to initialize using the provided parameters. (Microsoft.SqlServer.XEventStorage)
  Cannot view the function 'fn_MSXe_read_event_stream', because it does not exist or you do not have permission. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 15151)


The function does exist.  I can run it:

select * from fn_MSXe_read_event_stream('system_health', 0);


When I do, I get this error:

Msg 25728, Level 16, State 10, Line 6
The Extended Events session named "system_health" could not be found. Make  sure the session exists and is started.


I know the system_health session is there.  I see in in the list of sessions:

select * from sys.dm_xe_sessions

address name       name
------------------ ------------- 
0x00000001FF6510C1 system_health


I have tried this with my own custom event sessions.  I can't watch the live data on them, either.

I can query the system_health ring buffer target data from sys.dm_xe_session_targets.

Why can't I watch live data for any extended events session?

(Note that there is a Microsoft feedback item for this issue.)
I found the problem.  My login had a different default database than the master database.  When I changed my default database to master, the error went away, and I was able to Watch Live Data on the extended event sessions.

To change the default database, in SSMS, I expanded the server, Security, Logins.  I right-clicked on my user credentials. On the Login Properties page for my user, I changed "Default database" to master.  The error went away when I closed and reopened the connection in the SSMS Object Explorer.

EDIT 2018-12-11

On the feedback link for this issue, Karl Fasick posted a likely solution:


  Object Explorer isn't connected to the master database...
  To fix - disconnect Object Explorer - Reconnect, but go to Connection
  Properties and explicitly choose master.