SQL Server Wait Type: PREEMPTIVE_XE_SESSIONCOMMIT

Wait statistics, in the context of SQL Server, refer to the amount of time that a query spends waiting to access data in the database. When a client application requests data from the database, the request is placed in a queue and the client application must wait for its turn to access the data. The time that the query spends waiting is called a “wait” and is tracked by SQL Server. This information can be used to identify potential performance bottlenecks and optimize the performance of the database. Wait statistics are commonly used by database administrators to diagnose and troubleshoot performance issues in SQL Server.

The SQL Server PREEMPTIVE_XE_SESSIONCOMMIT wait type is a type of wait that occurs when a session is waiting for an extended events session to commit. This type of wait is typically associated with extended events sessions that are configured to use the asynchronous commit mode, which allows the session to continue collecting events while the committed events are being written to the target.

When a session is waiting on the PREEMPTIVE_XE_SESSIONCOMMIT wait type, it means that it is unable to proceed with its current operation until the extended events session has committed the collected events. This can cause delays and slow down the overall performance of the SQL Server instance.

To troubleshoot and resolve issues related to the PREEMPTIVE_XE_SESSIONCOMMIT wait type, it is important to first determine what operation is causing the wait and then investigate why that operation is taking a long time to complete. This may involve looking at the extended events sessions that are configured to use asynchronous commit mode, as well as the performance and availability of the target where the committed events are being written.

In some cases, it may be necessary to optimize the extended events sessions that are causing the PREEMPTIVE_XE_SESSIONCOMMIT waits, or to adjust the workload on the SQL Server instance to reduce the occurrence of this wait type. It may also be necessary to adjust the settings of the extended events sessions or the target to improve their performance and reduce the need for session commits.

Overall, the PREEMPTIVE_XE_SESSIONCOMMIT wait type can be a useful indicator of potential performance issues related to extended events in SQL Server, and can help DBAs and developers identify and resolve those issues to improve the performance of their databases.

More details avilable on this wait type here: http://DatabaseHealth.com/Waits/PREEMPTIVE_XE_SESSIONCOMMIT.html

Do you have a favorite tool for monitoring your wait statistics on SQL Server over time? This is something that you can use Database Health monitor to do. More details at http://DatabaseHealth.com.

If you are having performance issues assocaited with this wait type and need soem help, please contact us with our 30 minute consulation link.