ERROR_DS_CANT_DEL_MASTER_CROSSREF: meaning and diagnosis

Status / error code:		Category:

Constant name:
Source:		Operating System:
Description: A master cross-reference object cannot be deleted directly.

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ERROR_DS_CANT_DEL_MASTER_CROSSREF

ERROR_DS_CANT_DEL_MASTER_CROSSREF (8375) is an Active Directory Domain Services error. The operation tried to delete a crossRef that represents a master naming context. Such objects describe directory partitions and cannot be removed while the corresponding writable partition still exists.

Map the crossRef to its naming context and verify whether the partition still exists and where it is mastered. Remove the directory partition through its supported lifecycle before attempting to delete the cross-reference metadata.

What to check

Identify the naming context and the servers that host writable replicas of it.
Use the supported partition, domain, or application-directory-partition removal workflow.
Confirm replication health before and after topology changes.

Useful command

repadmin /showrepl * /csv

Microsoft: Diagnose AD replication failures · Microsoft: Demote domain controllers and domains · Microsoft: Directory Service system error codes

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