ERROR_DS_CANT_RETRIEVE_DN 0x800720D5

Error code 8405 · HRESULT 0x800720D5

WINDOWS

The distinguished name attribute could not be read.

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_RETRIEVE_DN is a Windows error code (system error 8405, returned as HRESULT 0x800720D5) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “The distinguished name attribute could not be read.”

How to fix ERROR_DS_CANT_RETRIEVE_DN

  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_RETRIEVE_INSTANCEERROR_DS_CANT_RETRIEVE_CHILDERROR_DS_CANT_RETRIEVE_ATTSERROR_DS_CANT_RETRIEVE_SDERROR_DS_CANT_REMOVE_CLASS_CACHEERROR_DS_MISSING_SUPREFERROR_DS_CANT_REMOVE_ATT_CACHE

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

Last updated: