Fix DHCP Server Failed with Error Code 20079

Fix DHCP Server Failed with Error Code 20079

Last Updated

November 29, 2021

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If you encounter DHCP Server Failed with error code 20079, there are multiple solutions available. Let’s look at the steps to fix Authorization of DHCP failed with Error 20079. This issue is related to DHCP service running on Windows Server.

I mostly run my ConfigMgr lab on VM’s, and they are present on my PC. At times when I have to travel to my hometown, I copy the VM’s to my laptop and use them.

I copied over my lab VM’s to my laptop. The moment I powered on my Windows Server running DHCP role, I encountered an issue with DHCP service.

Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC
Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC

Without DHCP service, I cannot test the SCCM operating system deployment. And this is the first time I encountered error code 20079 in my lab setup.

The DHCP error code 20079 could also appear on a Windows Server when you attempt to install a DHCP role or rebuild a domain controller. The error appears during the DHCP post installation configuration wizard.

Fix DHCP Server Failed with Error Code 20079

If you encounter “The Authorization of DHCP failed with Error 20079” error, you can resolve this issue by restarting the DHCP Service on the Windows Server. Go to Services console, right-click DHCP server service and select Restart.

If the DHCP server is not authorized by AD DS, it cannot respond to DHCP requests. When you encounter DHCP server failed with error code 20079, you see the following error on the startup.

Authorizing DHCP server Failed
The authorization of DHCP server failed with Error Code: 20079. The specified servers are
already present in the directory service. If the DHCP server is not authorized by AD DS, it cannot respond to DHCP requests.

Please restart the DHCP server service on the target computer for the security groups to be effective.

Fix DHCP Server Failed with Error Code 20079
DHCP Server Failed with Error Code 20079

If you closely look at the error details, it actually includes the solutions. There are two ways to resolve this issue :-

  1. Restart the DHCP Server service. This is the easiest and simplest solution.
  2. If the above solution doesn’t work, you can uninstall DHCP and install it back.

The Solution #1 works in most of the cases however if that doesn’t work, you can go with Solution #2.

After you restart the DHCP service, take a look at the event viewer, and you should see the clients getting the IP address from the DHCP server.

The DHCP/BINL service on the local machine, belonging to the Windows Administrative domain name, has determined that it is authorized to start. It is servicing clients now.

I hope this steps covered in this post helps you fix DHCP Server failed with error code 20079. If you have any questions or suggestions, let me know in the comments section.

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2 Comments

  1. Avatar photo SCCM_User says:

    Creating security groups……….Done
    Please restart the DHCP server service on the target computer for the security groups to be
    effective.

    Authorizing DHCP server…….Done

    DHCP Post-Install configuration error

    Failed to open registry key on target computer to set the
    status of post configuration task. Error: The client cannot
    connect to the destination specified in the request. Verify that
    the service on the destination is running and is accepting
    requests. Consult the logs and documentation for the
    WS-Management service running on the destination, most
    commonly IIS or WinRM. If the destination is the WinRM
    service, run the following command on the destination to
    analyze and configure the WinRM service: “winrm
    quickconfig”.

    Does anyone have any information on the cause of this error?

  2. Avatar photo Eddy Cuevas says:

    That is! I had been struggling for weeks with this error. I read, reviewed, and compared DHCP configurations on other platforms and other Windows servers. I even changed the Windows ISO file. Thank you so much! and Microsoft, you can do better.

Prajwal Desai

Prajwal Desai is a highly accomplished technology expert and an 11-time Dual Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional), specializing in Microsoft Intune, SCCM, Windows 365, Enterprise Mobility, and Windows. As a renowned author, speaker, and community leader, he is widely recognized for sharing his in-depth expertise and insights through his blog, YouTube channel, conferences, webinars, and other platforms.