Understanding the “0x18 Pre-Authentication Information Was Invalid” Error: Causes and Solutions

Have you ever encountered the error message “0x18 Pre-Authentication Information Was Invalid”? This error occurs when a client attempts to authenticate with a domain controller, but the domain controller does not recognize the security context of the authentication attempt. In this article, we will explore the possible causes of this error and provide solutions to resolve it.

Cause 1: Misconfigured or Corrupted Credential Cache

One of the most common causes of “0x18 Pre-Authentication Information Was Invalid” error is a misconfigured or corrupted credential cache. The credential cache contains Kerberos tickets used as authentication tokens for domain controllers. If the cache is misconfigured or corrupted, it can cause authentication issues.

To resolve this issue, you can reset the credential cache on the client machine. Open the command prompt and enter the following command: “klist purge.” This command will delete all the cached tickets, allowing the client machine to rebuild the cache from scratch.

Cause 2: Incorrect Time and Date Settings

The Kerberos authentication protocol is highly dependent on the time and date settings of both the client and server machines. If the time and date settings of the client machine are not synchronized with the domain controller’s time, it can cause authentication issues.

To resolve this issue, check the time and date settings of the client and server machines. Ensure that they are synchronized with a reliable time source, such as a network time server.

Cause 3: Corrupted or Misconfigured User Account

If the user account used for authentication is corrupted or misconfigured, it can cause the “0x18 Pre-Authentication Information Was Invalid” error. The user account may have incorrect or inconsistent attributes, preventing it from being authenticated.

To resolve this issue, you can reset the user account password and synchronize the changes with the domain controller. Alternatively, you can create a new user account with the correct attributes and use it for authentication.

Cause 4: Network Connectivity Issues

Network connectivity issues can also cause the “0x18 Pre-Authentication Information Was Invalid” error. If there is a connectivity issue between the client and server machines, it can prevent the client from authenticating with the domain controller.

To resolve this issue, check the network connectivity between the client and server machines. Ensure that there is no firewall blocking the communication between the two machines and that the network configurations are correct.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the “0x18 Pre-Authentication Information Was Invalid” error can be caused by several factors, including a misconfigured or corrupted credential cache, incorrect time and date settings, a corrupted or misconfigured user account, and network connectivity issues. To resolve this error, you can reset the credential cache, synchronize the time and date settings, reset the user account password, create a new user account, and check the network connectivity between the client and server machines. With these solutions, you can authenticate with the domain controller successfully.

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