What does Windows error code 8246 (ERROR_DS_LOOP_DETECT) mean?

Status / error code:		Category:

Constant name:
Source:		Operating System:
Description: ERROR_DS_LOOP_DETECT a loop has been detected.

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ERROR_DS_UNWILLING_TO_PERFORM	ERROR_DS_NAMING_VIOLATION

ERROR_DS_LOOP_DETECT

ERROR_DS_LOOP_DETECT (0x00002036) is an Active Directory Domain Services LDAP result. The directory service detected a loop while resolving the requested LDAP operation, referral, or alias path.

What to check

Inspect referrals and aliases involved in the request for a circular path.
Check DNS and trust configuration when referrals cross domains or forests.
Use the full referral chain in a client trace before changing directory objects.

Useful command

Get-ADRootDSE -Server "<dc-fqdn>"

Microsoft: AD DS LDAP operations · Microsoft: LDAP ETW tracing · Microsoft: AD DS diagnostic logging

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