Windows offers users many features that allow them to enhance productivity. However, it’s not always all rosy, and the system might be prone to certain issues. One of these includes the “Domain specified is not available” issue.
The error usually occurs when the PC is previously connected to a domain. When users attempt resetting the OS, the issue pops up, preventing the user from logging in. This error can lead to troubling complications because you are locked out of your computers and unable to connect. Let’s discuss the causes of this issue and six solutions to resolve the issue.
Causes Of “Domain Specified Is Not Available” Error
This error occurs when a Windows user attempts logging into a PC with a locked account in Windows Server 2008 R2-based Active Directory Domain Services environment.
The system acts differently when logging in with a smart card instead of other credentials such as a password and username. When logging in, you will receive this error if the PC is disconnected from the Active Directory Domain Services environment.
Method 1: Validate the System Credentials
The issue could actually be with the authentication system. Users can access their credentials in the client certificate via the certificate manager. Once in the certificate manager, navigate to the Details window and verify that your username appears in the list of User Principal Names. Check the event log on the client workstation to check if it is contacting the domain to verify your credentials.
Method 2: Make Your Account An Administrator
You may get a login error when Windows recognizes you as an unauthorized party. As a result, making yourself an Administrator may help resolve this issue. Because you cannot log into your account, you must attempt to perform these actions via Windows Recovery Environment. Here’s how to access it.
Step 1: From your login screen, hold the Shift key and locate Restart from the Start menu.
Step 2: The Windows Recovery Environment should be enabled after the system restarts.
Step 3: Then, Select Advanced Options in the Recovery Environment, then Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You can access Command Prompt from this point.
Step 5: Paste “net user Administrator /active:yes” into the Command Prompt and press Enter.
Step 6: Exit the Command Prompt and restart the computer PC. Once it restarts, try logging in to see if it works.
Method 3: Modify logon parameters in Registry Editor
You can also resolve the problem by modifying the registry parameters.
Step 1: Relaunch Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R and inputting “cmd.”
Step 2: Enter “regedit” into the Command Prompt.
Step 3: Once the Registry Editor launches, go to:
HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\\System\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\Netlogon\\Parameters.
Step 4: Locate and double-click the SysvolReady entry.
Step 5: In this section, modify the Value data from 0 to 1 and select OK.
Step 6: Exit the windows and Restart to verify the issue is resolved.
Method 4: Restart The Computer With No Network Connectivity
Reboot the computer with no internet connectivity to verify if the issue isn’t with the network connection.
Step 1: The Network connectivity icon can be found in the bottom-right corner of the display. From there, disconnect from the network.
Step 2: If you can’t do that, try manually disconnecting the network connection’s sources. For instance, unplugging the LAN cable or turning off your internet router.
Step 3: Restart the computer to see if it works this time. If this does not work, log in to the computer as the Administrator to continue troubleshooting.
Method 5: Modify the DNS Server Address
Another possible fix for this issue is by modifying the DNS server address. Here are the steps involved:
Step 1: Open the Run dialog by pressing the Window key + R and input: ncpa.cpl into the Command Prompt and select Enter to bring up the Network Connections window.
Step 2: Click Properties in the context menu of your network adapter. You may need to grant administrator privileges to do so.
Step 3: To open the properties of Internet Protocol Version 4, double-click on it.
Step 4: Select the Use the following DNS server addresses and Enter the following values:
- Preferred DNS address: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS address:8.8.4.4
Step 5: Press OK to save these modified settings and restart the system.
Method 6: Reinstall Windows
If none of these earlier steps works, you may need to reinstall Windows. Here how:
Step 1: Go to the Microsoft website to download your preferred Windows version.
Step 2: Then, double-click on the Windows installer and agree to the terms by selecting Yes when User Account Control pops up.
Step 3: Check the Use Recommended Options box and then select Next.
Step 4: Select the downloaded Windows file and then click Next.
Step 5: Once the Windows ISO file is prepared, upload it into the faulty computer via a media stick.
Step 6: Restart the computer and click F12, Del repeatedly to load BIOS.
Step 7: In this section, visit the Boot tab and modify the boot priority to using a Flash drive.
Step 8: Restart the PC and follow the instructions to install Windows.
Conclusion
The most common cause of this error is that the cached account has been disabled on the system when logging out. This leads to the necessary credentials getting deleted by the operating system. So, if you notice this problem, follow our six solutions to continue using your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
To add a computer to a domain, go to System and Security, then select System and change settings under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings. Select Change on the Computer Name tab and click on Domain under Member of. Lastly, type the domain name you want this system to join and press OK.
Logging into a pc without a domain is as simple as logging in to Windows with the Local Account and not defining the Computer Name. Simply enter “.\.” in the username field. The domain will disappear and be replaced by your local computer name without you having to type it. Then, after inputting “./.”, enter your local username to use the local account with the username.
