What does Windows error code 9988 (DNS_ERROR_SERVERSCOPE_IS_REFERENCED) mean?

Status / error code:		Category:

Constant name:
Source:		Operating System:
Description: The server-level DNS scope cannot be removed because a DNS policy references it.

Previous	Next
DNS_ERROR_POLICY_SCOPE_NOT_ALLOWED	DNS_ERROR_ZONESCOPE_IS_REFERENCED

DNS_ERROR_SERVERSCOPE_IS_REFERENCED

DNS_ERROR_SERVERSCOPE_IS_REFERENCED prevents a server-level policy scope from being removed while an active or stored DNS policy still references it.

What to do for DNS_ERROR_SERVERSCOPE_IS_REFERENCED

Locate every policy that uses the server scope before attempting deletion.
Update dependent policies in a controlled change, then verify that the intended queries still receive an answer.
Do not force deletion: it can leave the policy configuration inconsistent.

Get-DnsServerQueryResolutionPolicy
Get-DnsServerQueryResolutionPolicy -ZoneName "example.com"
Get-DnsServerClientSubnet

Microsoft: Get-DnsServerQueryResolutionPolicy

Microsoft: DNS Policies overview

Microsoft: Add-DnsServerQueryResolutionPolicy

Where the result is returned

This result is Win32 system error 9988 (0x00002704) from winerror.h. AllStat describes it as “The server scope cannot be deleted because it is referenced by a DNS Policy.”

Looking for a different code? Search another status or error code.