SIEM, Vulnerability Scanning, Server Monitoring and Compliance Training for IT Professionals
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The RPC server is unavailable Errors

The RPC server is unavailable error is typically thrown by the local WMI Service when an attempt is made to access WMI functions from a host that is blocking WMI requests or has a firewall between the hosts.

Verify the error:

  • Open a command-prompt and type:
    Wbemtest
  • The Wbemtest application opens.
  • Once loaded, click Connect.
  • From the Namespace text box, type:
    \\HOSTNAME\root\cimv2
    Where HOSTNAME is the name of the remote server throwing the error. If either computer resides on a different domain or within a workgroup, specify administrator credentials that reside on the remote computer or domain.
  • Click Connect. You should receive the The RPC server is unavailable error.

NetBIOS issues?

Often hardware manufactures ship Windows computers with names pre-configured that do not meet the NetBIOS specification. Specifically, names longer than 15 characters are often pre-configured. Host names that are not addressable by NetBIOS cause many Windows API calls to fail. When you find a host that has a name longer than 15 characters, rename the host to 15 characters or less then reboot the host.

Resolution Links:

Related Topics

Troubleshooting