What is Windows Error 8373 (ERROR_DS_NAME_REFERENCE_INVALID)?

Error 8373 (ERROR_DS_NAME_REFERENCE_INVALID) is a Windows Active Directory error that occurs when the name reference is invalid.. This guide provides step-by-step solutions to resolve this issue.

What causes Error 8373?

Computer lost domain trust. Time sync beyond Kerberos limit. DNS preventing DC discovery. Account locked or disabled

How do I fix Error 8373 (ERROR_DS_NAME_REFERENCE_INVALID)?

Rejoin the Domain: Open System Properties → Change → set to Workgroup → OK → Restart. Then change back to Domain → enter domain name → OK → Restart. This re-establishes the trust relationship

Fix ERROR_DS_NAME_REFERENCE_INVALID — Windows Error Code 8373

🎮 Common Scenario: Are you experiencing Error 8373 while launching or installing Apex Legends? The solutions below directly address the system interactions specific to this application.

⚡ Quick Fix

Rejoin the Domain: Open System Properties → Change → set to Workgroup → OK → Restart

👇 See all 1 solutions below

The Ultimate Auto-Fix Script

Download our advanced, custom-built Smart Diagnostic Script (.bat). It safely creates a System Restore Point, applies targeted fixes based on advanced diagnostics for Error 8373, and generates a detailed HTML repair report.

✓ Safe & Verified ✓ Restore Point Protected ✓ HTML Report Included

⚠️

CRITICAL INSTRUCTION: Once downloaded, you MUST right-click the file and select "Run as Administrator". If opened normally, it will not function.

📑 Table of Contents

What is Error 8373? Common Causes Step-by-Step Solutions Prevention Tips Related Errors

💡 What is Error 8373?

Windows System Error Code 8373, known as ERROR_DS_NAME_REFERENCE_INVALID, is a Active Directory error that occurs during Active Directory and directory services. The error indicates that: The name reference is invalid. When this error is encountered, the Windows operating system was unable to complete the requested operation within the directory services subsystem. The error code 8373 is returned by the GetLastError() function and provides developers with a specific identifier to diagnose the root cause of the failure. The symbolic name ERROR_DS_NAME_REFERENCE_INVALID maps directly to this numeric code and is commonly referenced in Microsoft documentation, developer forums, and system logs. Understanding this error and its context within Active Directory and directory services is essential for effective troubleshooting.

⚠️ Common Causes

Computer lost domain trust
Time sync beyond Kerberos limit
DNS preventing DC discovery
Account locked or disabled

✅ Step-by-Step Solutions

1 Rejoin the Domain

Open System Properties → Change → set to Workgroup → OK → Restart
Then change back to Domain → enter domain name → OK → Restart
This re-establishes the trust relationship

🎬 Video Tutorials

▶️ Watch Video Tutorials

How To Fix Active Directory Error Windows Server

Open on YouTube →

💻 Diagnostic Command

Run this PowerShell command to find related events in your system log:

Get-EventLog -LogName System -Newest 20 | Where-Object {$_.Message -like "*8373*" -or $_.Message -like "*ERROR_DS_NAME_REFERENCE_INVALID*"} | Format-List

💡 Open PowerShell as Administrator, paste the command above, and press Enter.

🛡️ Prevention Tips

Ensure reliable NTP sources
Monitor DC health with dcdiag
Use redundant DNS servers

Was this helpful?

Last updated: 2026-03-13

📖

Based on Official Microsoft Documentation

Solutions Tested on Windows 10 & 11

Error codes sourced from Microsoft Win32 SDK. Updated 2026-03-13.