ERROR_DS_CANT_START 0x80072153

Error code 8531 · HRESULT 0x80072153

WINDOWS

Directory Service cannot start.

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_START is a Windows error code (system error 8531, returned as HRESULT 0x80072153) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “Directory Service cannot start.”

How to fix ERROR_DS_CANT_START

  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_SDERROR_DS_CANT_FIND_DC_FOR_SRC_DOMAINERROR_DS_CANT_ADD_TO_GCERROR_DS_CANT_CREATE_UNDER_SCHEMAERROR_DS_SAM_NEED_BOOTKEY_FLOPPYERROR_DS_INIT_FAILUREERROR_DS_SAM_NEED_BOOTKEY_PASSWORD

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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