Solved: Troubleshooting Error Code 0x80040151 in Microsoft Office Applications

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Error Code 0x80040151 Summary

The error code 0x80040151, also known as HResult ERROR_DS_ATT_VAL_ALREADY_EXISTS, is typically encountered when there’s an attempt to add a value for an attribute in Active Directory that already exists. This issue often arises during system updates or installations of software that require modifications within the AD environment, such as installing Exchange Server or updating Group Policy settings. The problem usually stems from duplicate entries or attempted changes that violate unique constraints set on attributes within the directory service.

Where Error Code 0x80040151 Appears and How to Fix It

This error can occur in several scenarios involving Active Directory and its management tools:
The 0x80040151 error frequently appears during the installation of Microsoft Exchange Server or other software that requires modifications to Active Directory. It may also surface when trying to add a new user account, group, or computer object if an attribute’s value already exists in another entry.
Another common scenario is while setting up Group Policy Objects (GPOs) where attempting to assign duplicate values for attributes such as User Rights Assignment can trigger this error.
This issue might also occur during the synchronization process of directories using tools like Active Directory Synchronization or when replicating directory data across multiple domain controllers. In these cases, inconsistencies in attribute values between source and target environments can lead to conflicts resulting in 0x80040151 errors.
Administrators may encounter this error when they use PowerShell cmdlets that interact with AD DS such as Add-ADGroupMember or Set-ADUser. If the operation includes an attribute value that already exists, it will generate the HResult ERROR_DS_ATT_VAL_ALREADY_EXISTS message.
The 0x80040151 error can also be triggered by attempting to install software updates on a Windows Server domain controller running Active Directory Services where the update process requires changes in AD DS and these changes conflict with existing attribute values.

Howto solve error code 0x80040151

To resolve the error code 0x80040151, follow these steps:

  1. Identify the exact location of the conflicting duplicate value by reviewing the recent actions or commands that triggered the error.
  2. Analyze the attributes and their constraints in Active Directory to ensure no existing values conflict with those being added. Use ADSI Edit (for advanced users) or the Active Directory Users and Computers console to inspect attribute definitions.
  3. If the issue arises from software installation, check the installer logs for clues about specific attribute value conflicts during setup processes such as Exchange Server configuration.
  4. Utilize PowerShell scripts to query AD DS and retrieve information on attributes causing issues. Scripts like (Get-ADObject -Identity "objectDN" -Properties "attributeName"). attributeName can be particularly useful in identifying duplicate values.
  5. Once identified, remove or modify the conflicting entries to resolve attribute value conflicts. This might involve removing existing group memberships with duplicate SIDs using PowerShell commands like Remove-ADGroupMember -Identity "groupName" -Members "sid".
  6. If the problem persists after resolving known duplicates, consider performing a full Active Directory replication cycle across all domain controllers to ensure consistency in attribute values.
  7. After ensuring no duplicate values exist and replicating data successfully, retry the operation that initially caused the 0x80040151 error.

Similar questions

What does error 0x80040151 mean?
How can I fix the 0x80040151 error on my computer?
Can you tell me what causes the 0x80040151 error code to appear?
I’m getting an error message that says “0x80040151”. What should I do next?
Is there a specific program or tool that can help solve the 0x80040151 issue?
When I try to use Windows Update, I get an error code of 0x80040151. How do I resolve this?
I encountered an error while installing software and it’s listed as “0x80040151”. Can you give me advice on how to proceed?
What steps should I follow to troubleshoot the 0x80040151 error message that appears when trying to activate my Windows license key?
After upgrading to a new version of an application, I’m seeing the error code “0x80040151”. How do I revert back or fix this issue?
Could someone explain in simple terms what is happening when you see 0x80040151 and how it impacts my system’s functionality?

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