I recently came across a frustrating error when trying to change a password on Active Directory: “Could not write new password to AD. Error 0x80070032.” As someone who frequently deals with technical systems, encountering errors is a common occurrence, but this specific problem left me feeling puzzled. In this article, I will discuss my encounter with this error and offer potential causes and solutions.
The Error Message
When I tried to change a password on Active Directory, I received the error message: “Could not write changed password to AD. Error 0x80070032.” This error code, 0x80070032, doesn’t provide much information about the root cause of the problem. It left me wondering what could be causing the issue and how I could resolve it.
Possible Causes
After conducting some research and seeking assistance from online forums, I discovered several possible causes for this error:
- Network Connectivity: In some cases, network connectivity issues can prevent the password change from being written to the Active Directory. It’s essential to ensure that the network connections between the machine attempting the password change and the Active Directory server are stable and reliable.
- Permissions: Insufficient permissions can also lead to the “Could not write changed password to AD” error. The user attempting the password change must have the necessary privileges to modify the Active Directory.
- Active Directory Replication: If the Active Directory infrastructure is spread across multiple servers, replication issues between them can cause problems when attempting to write password changes. It’s crucial to check the replication status to ensure all servers are communicating properly.
- Active Directory Database Corruption: In rare cases, corruption in the Active Directory database itself can lead to this error. Detecting and resolving database issues may require more in-depth troubleshooting.
Possible Solutions
In order to resolve the “Could not write changed password to AD. Error 0x80070032” issue, I found the following solutions to be effective:
- Check Network Connectivity: Start by ensuring that the machine attempting the password change has a stable network connection to the Active Directory server. Troubleshoot any network issues and try again.
- Verify Permissions: Double-check the permissions of the user attempting the password change. Ensure that the user has the necessary privileges to modify the Active Directory.
- Monitor Replication: If your Active Directory infrastructure spans multiple servers, closely monitor the replication status. Resolve any replication issues that may be preventing password changes from being written correctly.
- Investigate Database Corruption: If all else fails, investigate the possibility of database corruption within the Active Directory. This may require the assistance of a professional or contacting the software vendor for support.
Conclusion
The “Could not write changed password to AD. Error 0x80070032” error can be frustrating and challenging to resolve. By examining the possible causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you can increase your chances of successfully changing passwords on Active Directory without encountering this error. Remember to always double-check network connectivity, user permissions, and monitor Active Directory replication. In case of database corruption, seek professional assistance or reach out to the software vendor for further guidance.