How do you capture and analyze a SQL Server deadlock?

Extended Events is the preferred mechanism for capturing deadlock information. SQL Server's system_health Extended Events session commonly captures deadlock reports automatically.

A deadlock graph identifies participating sessions, statements, resources, lock modes, owners, waiters, and the selected victim. Analyze the dependency cycle rather than only the victim statement.

Typical fixes include consistent object-access order, shorter transactions, better indexes, reduced lock footprint, appropriate isolation, and safe retry logic.