The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed.
The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed.
As an IT professional or a computer user, you might have come across the error message “The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed.” This error can be frustrating, especially if you’re unable to access network resources, login to your computer or access shared folders. In this article, we’ll discuss the causes, symptoms, and solutions to this error.
Possible Causes of the Error
The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed error occurs when there’s a disruption in the trust relationship between the computer and the domain controller. Here are some common causes of this error:
Password synchronization issues: If the computer’s password doesn’t match the password stored in the domain controller, it can cause trust relationship issues.
Time synchronization issues: If the time on the computer and the domain controller is out of sync, it can cause trust relationship issues.
Computer account deletion: If the computer account is deleted from the Active Directory, it can cause trust relationship issues.
Symptoms caused by this Error
Symptoms of “The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed”:
Here are some symptoms that indicate that you’re facing “The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed” error:
- Unable to log in to the computer with domain credentials.
- Unable to access network resources.
- Unable to access shared folders.
- Error message: “The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed.”
How to Fix "The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed"
There are several solutions to resolve the “The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed” error. Here are some of them:
Solution 1: Reset computer account password:
- Log in to the computer with local administrator credentials.
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type the following command and press Enter: netdom resetpwd /s:domaincontroller /ud:domain\admin /pd:*
Note: Replace “domaincontroller” with the name of your domain controller and “domain\admin” with the domain administrator account.
- Restart the computer.
Solution 2: Rejoin the computer to the domain:
- Log in to the computer with local administrator credentials.
- Open Control Panel and navigate to System.
- Click on “Change settings” next to “Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings.”
- Click on “Change” next to “To rename this computer or change its domain or workgroup, click Change.”
- Select “Domain” and enter the domain name.
- Enter the domain administrator credentials.
- Restart the computer.
Solution 3: Restore the computer account:
- Log in to the domain controller with domain administrator credentials.
- Open Active Directory Users and Computers.
- Navigate to the “Computers” container.
- Right-click on the computer account and select “Restore.”
Solution 4: Increase the Time out period of the computer account:
- Increase the computer account password age or even disable password changes altogether to prevent this error from occurring in the future. To do so, you’ll need to set the following registry key:
- KEY: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE – SYSTEM – CurrentControlSet – Services – Netlogon – Parameters Property: DisablePasswordChange Value: 1
This will disable password changes for the computer account, ensuring that the machine’s account password remains the same even if you restore an older snapshot.
FAQs
What is a trust relationship between a computer and a domain?
A trust relationship is established between a computer and a domain when the computer joins the domain. This trust allows the computer to access network resources and authenticate users.
Can I prevent “The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed” error?
Yes, you can prevent this error by ensuring that the computer’s time and password are synchronized with the domain controller.
How can I avoid trust relationship issues in the future?
You can avoid trust relationship issues by regularly resetting computer account passwords, synchronizing time between the computer and domain controller, and ensuring that the computer is not deleted from the Active Directory.
Can a non-administrator account resolve the “The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed” error?
No, a non-administrator account cannot resolve this error. You need to have local administrator or domain administrator credentials to resolve this error.
Conclusion:
“The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed” error can be frustrating, but it’s a common issue faced by many computer users. This error occurs when there’s a disruption in the trust relationship between the computer and the domain controller. You can resolve this error by resetting the computer account password, rejoining the computer to the domain, or restoring the computer account. By following these solutions, you can prevent this error from occurring in the future. Remember to ensure that the computer’s time and password are synchronized with the domain controller to avoid trust relationship issues.