Failed SQL Installation - An error occurred during the setup process of the feature.

Failed SQL Installation - An error occurred during the setup process of the feature.

Issue:
When trying to install SQL Express, you receive this error:

The following error has occurred:
Wait on the Database Engine recovery handle failed. Check the SQL Server error log for potential causes.

Cause:
This usually happens when installing SQL Server on a Domain Controller (please note, this is not recommended best practice).
However, there are sometimes strict security policies in place and service account permissions may have been changed from the IT department.

Solution/Workaround:

When we come to Server Configuration screen, during the installation, you will need to change the Account Name (Default would be NT Service\MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS), of the Database Engine Service, to either:

NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE or NT AUTHORITY\LOCAL SERVICE.

Just clicking the box and typing it in (Not to be confused with clicking the dropdown and manually searching/selecting it from the menu)

 

Use the Account Name, used for running the SQL Server Browser or SQL Server Replication (Depending what installation options have been chosen.)

And you should be able to continue with installation.