Could not open connection to SQL Server Error:53 the network path was not found

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 53)

When you are trying to connect to SQL Server from SSMS you may face this error because of following reasons.

There are many generic reasons for this, few are below:

1.  Incorrect connection string.
2.  Named Pipes was not enabled on the SQL instance.
3.  Remote connection was not enabled.
4.  Server not started, or point to not a real server in your connection string.
5.  Other reasons such as incorrect security context.
6. Check the firewall.

The main reason would be you are not providing the right instance name in SSMS when you are connection to Database Engine.

You can find the instance name by the following methods:

1. Click Start--> Run --> Type CMD
type:  hostname Press enter
Result would be you system name: HOME
2. Then Open the SQL Server Configuration Manager
Click Start --> Programs --> SQL Server 2012 --> Configuration tools --> SQL Server Configuration Manager

check for the SQL Server instance name inside the parenthesis in the configuration manager (Ex: SQLSERVER2012)
Now the instance in SSMS should be:
HOME\SQLSERVER2012

This will connect you to your database engine.

Hope this helps!