Windows error 8366 (ERROR_DS_INVALID_ROLE

Status / error code:		Category:

Constant name:
Source:		Operating System:
Description: The directory cannot resolve the recorded FSMO role-owner reference to a valid DSA.

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ERROR_DS_UNKNOWN_OPERATION	ERROR_DS_COULDNT_CONTACT_FSMO

ERROR_DS_INVALID_ROLE_OWNER

FSMO ownership is stored as a directory reference

FSMO role ownership is represented in directory data: the role object contains fSMORoleOwner, which references the owning DC’s nTDSDSA object. If that reference cannot be read or resolved as valid role-owner state, AD cannot safely determine where a single-master update belongs.

This differs from simply being unable to contact a known owner. Here the ownership metadata itself is suspect or unreadable. Failed DC removal, incomplete metadata cleanup, configuration-NC replication divergence, or damaged role-object state are more relevant than testing one TCP port on the presumed owner.

What to inspect

Determine the affected FSMO role and inspect the role object’s fSMORoleOwner value on more than one DC.
Verify that the referenced nTDSDSA object exists under the expected server object in Sites and Services.
If the referenced DC was forcibly removed, use supported metadata cleanup and role transfer/seizure procedures; do not replace the attribute with a guessed DN.

References

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