Windows error 8250 (ERROR_DS_SERVER_DOWN): meaning and diagnosis

Status / error code:		Category:

Constant name:
Source:		Operating System:
Description: The LDAP client could not communicate with the target directory server.

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ERROR_DS_AFFECTS_MULTIPLE_DSAS	ERROR_DS_LOCAL_ERROR

ERROR_DS_SERVER_DOWN

ERROR_DS_SERVER_DOWN (0x0000203A) is an Active Directory Domain Services LDAP result. The LDAP client could not communicate with the target directory server.

Separate name resolution, TCP reachability, TLS or bind setup, and actual AD DS service availability. Test the specific domain controller named by the client so failover to another server does not hide a local server or network problem.

What to check

Verify DNS resolution, routing, firewall rules, and TCP reachability for LDAP or LDAPS.
Confirm that the target is a live domain controller and that AD DS is running.
Compare the result with another domain controller in the same domain to isolate endpoint failure from client configuration.

Useful command

Test-NetConnection "<dc-fqdn>" -Port 389

Microsoft: Troubleshoot LDAPS · Microsoft: LDAP ETW tracing · Microsoft: AD DS diagnostic logging

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