Server Manager crashes on startup, faulting module ntdll.dll

IskandarTechnic 1 Reputation point
2020-10-20T08:08:30.853+00:00

Getting this error on all domain-connected servers when using a domain administrator account. 

Log Name:      Application
Source:        Application Error
Date:          10/20/2020 12:04:37 AM
Event ID:      1000
Task Category: (100)
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Description:
Faulting application name: ServerManager.exe, version: 10.0.17763.168, time stamp: 0xc452e206
Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 10.0.17763.1490, time stamp: 0x1b8b321e
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x000000000000753c
Faulting process id: 0x2e0
Faulting application start time: 0x01d6a69e827d1e1d
Faulting application path: C:\Windows\system32\ServerManager.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
Report Id: 51f76c26-ad22-4828-8c4d-1fb11ad201a8
Faulting package full name: 
Faulting package-relative application ID:

Here's what we know:

  • All servers are less than 60 days old and all steps have been completed for all servers
  • Only occurs with domain administrator accounts, even newly-created domain admin accounts which are fresh. Local administrator accounts can access Server Manager just fine.
  • Installed all updates, up to KB4577668.
  • Forced updates/repairs for .NET 3 and .NET 4, installed .NET 4.5 and .NET 4.7.2.
  • Ran .NET Verification. Verification succeeded for 4.7.0, 4.7.1, and 4.7.2.
  • Executed SFC, no issues found. Ran DISM, no issues found.
  • Cleared MMC cache in %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\MMC

I'm out of ideas, does anyone have a suggestion?

The only conclusion I can reach is that this might be related to AD simply because that is the only common denominator. That being said, I have not found any reason based on AD why this might be happening.

Windows Server Management
Windows Server Management
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
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  1. Molly Lu 761 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2020-10-21T09:03:25.547+00:00

    Hi Iskandar,

    Try following methods to narrow down this issue:

    1. Open command prompt as administrator and run gpresult /h report.html to check the configuration of the administrator as well as the computer for any special configurations that can cause this problem.
    2. Reinstall the DLL
      1. Type cmd in the search box, and then right click Command prompt select Run as Administrator.
      2. Type this in command prompt:
        regsvr32.exe /u ntdll.dll and press Enter key (this will uninstall the file)
        regsvr32.exe ntdll.dll and press Enter key (this will reinstall the file).

    Let us know how it goes.

    Best regards,

    Molly

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  2. IskandarTechnic 1 Reputation point
    2020-10-24T22:33:40.183+00:00

    Regsvr32 sends the error:
    The module "ntdll.dll" ws loaded but the entry point DLLUnregisterServer was not found. 

    Make sure that "ntdll.dll" is a valid DLL or OCX file and then try again

    Looking into that, this error seems common because ntdll is not a registerable dll

    34815-report.pdf

    I've attached the report to this post, only changed the domain name for privacy reasons.