Windows error 8440 (ERROR_DS_DRA_BAD_NC): meaning and diagnosis

Status / error code:		Category:

Constant name:
Source:		Operating System:
Description: The naming context referenced by the replication operation is invalid.

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ERROR_DS_DRA_BAD_DN	ERROR_DS_DRA_DN_EXISTS

ERROR_DS_DRA_BAD_NC

ERROR_DS_DRA_BAD_NC (8440) is an Active Directory replication error. A naming context (directory partition) in the replication request is invalid for the server or the requested replication operation.

What to check

Identify whether the failing partition is Domain, Configuration, Schema, or an application directory partition.
Compare the partition list and replication partners on the source and destination before changing connection objects.
Check whether the partition is being created, removed, or was retired as part of a domain-controller decommissioning process.

Useful command

repadmin /showrepl <DestinationDC> /all /verbose

Microsoft: Repadmin /showrepl · Microsoft: Diagnose AD replication failures

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