It is possible that at some point problems arise with a Windows PC connected to other devices on a network. Such is the case of the flaw that can cause the RPC server to be unavailable. For this reason, this interesting tutorial shows you how to fix ‘RPC Server Unavailable Error’ on Windows computers.
Why do I get the RPC Server Error message on Windows?
The RPC server error message in Windows can appear when a problem is detected. incorrect DNS configuration. Also, it is possible that the failure arises due to wrong time zone and time or when ‘Tcp/IP NetBIOS Helper’ is not running.
Incorrect DNS configuration
Incorrect DNS settings can cause network problems that prevent resources from responding or normal internet browsing. As usual, this problem is solved by restarting the router or after choosing a different DNS server. Also, you can choose to change the DNS from the router or from the command prompt.
Wrong time zone and time
Incorrect time zone and system time can also cause the ‘RPC Server Unavailable Error’ error. For this reason, you need to check if the system date and time settings is the correct one. Therefore, you will have a successful RPC connection.
To apply date and time settings, press ‘Win + R’ keys, type timedate.cpl and press ‘OK’. Then, select the time zone corresponding to your country and click the ‘OK’ button. Then, click on ‘Change date and time’, finally, press ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’.
‘Tcp/IP NetBIOS Helper’ is not running
‘Tcp/IP NetBIOS Helper’ is software provided by Windows for the computer to be part of a local area network. In this sense, computers using old protocols they can search based on NetBIOS instead of IP address. When ‘Tcp/IP NetBIOS Helper’ is not running it can cause RPC server to fail.
To fix this bug, you’ll need to access the windows control panel and under ‘Network Connections’ locate the ‘Local Area Connection’ section. Open the ‘Properties’ and double click on ‘Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)’. In the advanced options, find the ‘NetBIOS Settings’ to activate this service and reboot your PC.
Remote registry is not running
Remote Registry is a Windows service that allows connect with record structures on another PC using ‘regedit’. For this reason, it is necessary that you access as an administrator user on both computers in order to use this service properly. Press ‘Win +R’, type services.msc and press ‘OK’.
In the list of services offered by the system, locate the ‘Remote Registry’ option and check if it is running. To achieve this, right click on the service and press ‘Properties’. Under ‘Startup type’ select ‘Start’ click ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’. Indeed, you will be able to verify if the rpc server not available error.
How do I fix the ‘RPC Server Unavailable Error?
Whether you’re doing the procedure on Windows 10, Windows Server 2012 R2, or Windows 11, it’s possible to troubleshoot the ‘RPC server unavailable’ error. To achieve this, you will need to check your network connection, the operation of the firewallas well as the server log.
On Windows 10
You can fix ‘RPC server unavailable’ error in Windows 10. To do this, open Control Panel and click ‘System and Security’. Select ‘Windows Defender Firewall’ and press ‘Allow an app through Windows Firewall’. Verify that all boxes are checked for enable proper communication.
Also, you need to check the status of the network connection. To achieve this, press ‘Win +R’ type ncpa.cpl and press ‘OK’. Find the network connection and right click to open the ‘Properties’. Check if the setting is enabled for the option to share files and printers for the network.
It is convenient to check your registry settings from the administrator account. Press ‘Win + R’ and type regedit to run the registry editor. Find the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Services/RpcSs and change its value to 2. Do the same for DcomLaunch and RpcEptMapper.
Windows Server 2012 R2
To fix the error on Windows Server 2012 R2, you’ll need to access the PowerShell tool. There, type telnet lon-dc01 135 and press ‘Enter’. In this way, you can check if RPC TCP/UDP ports 135 are available or have been blocked by the firewall.
Also, you will need to check if the server order has been specified correctly. Access the network connections and in the TCP/IPv4 protocol properties type the address for the DNS servers. Also, you will need to change the registry key on the domain controller from the registry editor.
To define the TCP port number 5000you must specify these data: [SISTEMA DE CONTROL DE CORRIENTE DE HKLM]|Stream Control Services ‘TCP/IP Port’=dword:00001388. The active firewall could prevent the port from working. Open PowerShell and type repadmin/replsummary to see if the error is resolved.
Windows 11
Also, it is possible to resolve the RPC server not available error in Windows 11. To do so, open system settings and access the services. Then, check that all the service boxes are checked. Type ‘services’ in the browser and check if the ‘Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator’ is running.
It is important to open the task manager to disable unnecessary apps from the start. Also, you will need to open the registry editor to access the path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Services/RpcSs. Change its start value to 2 and repeat the same step with DcomLaunch and RpcEptMapper.
