How to fix a corrupt active directory database on Windows

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

The Active Directory is a database that connects users with the network resources they need. However, a corrupt active directory database can spell disaster for everyone because it will affect all the users who rely on it.

In this guide, you'll learn how to fix a corrupt active directory database on Windows.

2. How to Enter

1. Check Microsoft Active Directory database problems

1. Reboot the server and press the F8 key and choose Directory Services Restore Mode.
   
   

1. Check the location of the Winnt\NTDS folder and verify its permissions.
   
   
2. Make sure that the following folder is shared:Winnt\Sysvol\Sysvol


3. Look inside the Sysvol folder and see if there is a folder labeled with the name of the domain.
   
   
4. Press the Windows + X keys and select PowerShell (Admin).
   
   

1. Type the following commands and hit Enter after each one:
   
   

1. NTDSUTIL
Files
Info


2. Rename the edb.chk file and try to boot to Normal mode.
   
   
3. If this method doesn’t allow you to boot into Normal mode, follow the next step.

2. Check the integrity of your database

1. Reboot into Directory Service Restore mode again.
   
   

1. Inside the Command Prompt type the following command: ESENTUTL /g "<path>\NTDS.dit" /!10240 /8 /v /x /o



1. Replace <path> with the actual path of the file. The default one isC:\Winnt\NTDS\ntds.dit


2. The results of this command will tell you if the database is corrupted.
   
   
3. To recover the database, type these commands and press Enter after each one:
   
   

1. NTDSUTIL
Files
Recover


2. If this procedure shows you an error message type Quit, then use the following command (replace <path> with the actual path):ESENTUTL /p "<path>\NTDS.dit" /!10240 /8 /v /x /o



1. Delete all log files inside the NTDS directory but do not move or modify the ntds.dit file.
   
   
2. Inside the Command Prompt, type the following commands to check the files’ integrity:
3. NTDSUTIL
Files
Integrity


4. If the check is completed successfully type these commands one by one and press Enter after each one to run them:
5. NTDSUTIL
Semantic Database Analysis
Go


6. The results will tell you that the Analysis process has been completed successfully.
   
   
7. Type Quit to close the Command Prompt window.
   
   
8. Reboot the server to Normal Mode.