ERROR_DS_CANT_DEREF_ALIAS 0x80072091

Error code 8337 · HRESULT 0x80072091

WINDOWS

The alias cannot be dereferenced.

Windows troubleshooting diagram: Device Manager warning and a system file scan
Windows errors: check drivers, system files and Event Viewer, in that order.

What it means

ERROR_DS_CANT_DEREF_ALIAS is a Windows error code (system error 8337, returned as HRESULT 0x80072091) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “The alias cannot be dereferenced.”

How to fix ERROR_DS_CANT_DEREF_ALIAS

  1. Reboot once — many one-off system codes disappear with a clean restart
  2. Repair system files: 'sfc /scannow' then 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth'
  3. Find the source in Event Viewer → System: filter for this exact code and open its provider link

Related errors

ERROR_DS_CANT_DELETE_DSA_OBJERROR_DS_CANT_MIX_MASTER_AND_REPSERROR_DS_CANT_REM_MISSING_ATT_VALERROR_DS_CANT_REM_MISSING_ATTERROR_DS_ALIAS_POINTS_TO_ALIASERROR_DS_OUT_OF_SCOPEERROR_DS_BAD_NAME_SYNTAX

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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