"Recovery: Liquibase migration failed" error when upgrading to Web Help Desk version 2026.2 or 2026.2.1 with MSSQL database

After upgrading Web Help Desk (WHD) to 2026.2/2026.2.1, users may encounter an error saying, "Recovery: Liquibase migration failed" while using the MSSQL database.

WHD log may also show a failing query:

Caused by: liquibase.exception.LiquibaseException: liquibase.exception.MigrationFailedException: Migration failed for changeset db/changelog/migrations/2026.2-migrations.xml::2026.2-fix-active-session-id-autoincrement-mssql::Web Help Desk:
     Reason: liquibase.exception.DatabaseException: Incorrect syntax near 'WITHIN'. [Failed SQL: (102) DECLARE @idmigSql NVARCHAR(MAX)

Login fails with “Recovery: Liquibase migration failed,” and the root cause is the 2026.2-fix-active-session-id-autoincrement-mssql migration, which can fail with Incorrect syntax near 'WITHIN' if the MSSQL compatibility level is too low. 

The MSSQL compatibility level is set to a lower level.

NOTE: Back up the database before making any changes.

1. Stop the WHD service.
2. Navigate to C:\Program Files\WebHelpDesk\conf.
3. Rename the file .whd.properties file to .whdproperties.old.
4. Start the WHD service.
5. Access the WHD web page. The application will prompt for database credentials.
6. Enter the correct database credentials and continue with the configuration wizard.
7. Check the compatibility level in MSSQL Management Studio > Properties > Options.
8. If it's set too low, such as <140, set the compatibility level to a higher level >140.

9. Retry the database configuration and try to log in.