ERROR_DS_MISSING_SUPREF 0x800720D6

Error code 8406 · HRESULT 0x800720D6

WINDOWS

No superior reference has been configured for the directory service. The directory service is therefore unable to issue referrals to objects outside this forest.

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_MISSING_SUPREF is a Windows error code (system error 8406, returned as HRESULT 0x800720D6) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “No superior reference has been configured for the directory service. The directory service is therefore unable to issue referrals to objects outside this forest.”

How to fix ERROR_DS_MISSING_SUPREF

  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_MISSING_EXPECTED_ATTERROR_DS_MISSING_FSMO_SETTINGSERROR_DS_MISSING_REQUIRED_ATTERROR_DS_MISSING_INFRASTRUCTURE_CONTAINERERROR_DS_CANT_RETRIEVE_DNERROR_DS_CANT_RETRIEVE_INSTANCEERROR_DS_CANT_REMOVE_CLASS_CACHE

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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