How to enable SQL Server Agent XPs to start SQL Server Agent?

If you see Agent XPs disabled from SQL Server Management Studio (as per below picture), you will be unable to start SQL Server Agent from Management Studio directly.

Option 1: Start SQL Server Agent from SQL Server Configuration Manager. Agent XPs will be enabled and SQL Agent Service will start automatically in this case.

Option 2: Execute below code to enable Agent XPs programmatically and then start SQL Server Agent Service.

sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1;

GO

RECONFIGURE;

GO

sp_configure 'Agent XPs', 1;

GO

RECONFIGURE

GO