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ERROR_DS_DATABASE_ERROR
A database error has occurred.
ERROR_DS_DATABASE_ERROR is Win32 error 8409 (0x000020D9) and concerns the Active Directory database layer.
What to verify
Verify whether NTDS can read, update, and commit the required database records consistently. Check Directory Service and ESENT events, database and log paths, and storage health and free space.
Likely causes
- the database or logs are corrupt.
- storage I/O failed.
- the database is unavailable or locked.
- version-store or resource pressure disrupted the transaction.
- an internal database operation returned an error.
Troubleshooting steps
- Collect Directory Service and ESENT events.
- Record database and log paths.
Handling, retry, and recovery
Stop risky writes, diagnose the first ESENT or storage event, use supported AD DS database recovery, and validate replication before returning the DC to service.
Related errors
ERROR_DS_OUT_OF_VERSION_STORE is a specific resource exhaustion; this code is the broader database failure
Example
A DC reports this code after repeated disk errors. ESENT events identify a failed log write, so the server is isolated and recovered through supported system-state procedures.
References
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