The RPC Server is Unavailable Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide for Devs

Greetings, Devs! We know how frustrating it can be to encounter errors while working on your projects. One such error that you might have come across is the “RPC server is unavailable” error in Windows 10. This error message can be quite cryptic and can leave you scratching your head. Don’t worry, though, as we are here to help you understand this error and provide you with solutions to fix it.

What is the RPC server?

The Remote Procedure Call (RPC) server is a technology that allows different programs to collaborate and work together on a network. The RPC protocol is used to enable communication between a client and a server on a network. It allows remote execution of code and enables programs to communicate with each other across different machines, platforms, and programming languages.

The RPC server is an important component of Windows, and many services and applications depend on it to function properly. When the RPC server is unavailable, it can cause various issues and errors in Windows 10.

What causes the “RPC server is unavailable” error?

There can be several reasons why you might encounter the “RPC server is unavailable” error in Windows 10. Some of the most common causes include:

• The RPC service is not running
• The RPC service is disabled
• The RPC service is blocked by a firewall
• The RPC service is not properly configured
• The RPC service is conflicting with other services or applications

How to fix the “RPC server is unavailable” error?

Depending on the cause of the error, there are several solutions that you can try to fix it. Here are some of the most effective solutions:

1. Check if the RPC service is running

The first thing you should do is to check if the RPC service is running on your system. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter.
3. Scroll down to find the “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” service.
4. Check if the service is running.
5. If the service is not running, right-click on it and select “Start”.

2. Enable the RPC service

If the RPC service is disabled, you can enable it by following these steps:

1. Open the Services console as described in the previous solution.
2. Find the “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” service.
3. Right-click on the service and select “Properties”.
4. Under the “General” tab, set the “Startup type” to “Automatic”.
5. Click on “Apply” and then on “OK”.
6. Restart your computer and check if the error has been resolved.

3. Unblock the RPC service in the firewall

If the RPC service is blocked by a firewall, you can unblock it by adding an exception to the firewall. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on “Update & Security”.
3. Click on “Windows Security” in the left pane.
4. Click on “Firewall & network protection”.
5. Click on the network profile that you are currently using.
6. Scroll down to find “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)”.
7. Make sure that both “Private” and “Public” are checked.
8. Restart your computer and check if the error has been resolved.

4. Reset the TCP/IP stack

Resetting the TCP/IP stack can sometimes help fix network-related issues, including the “RPC server is unavailable” error. Here’s how:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each one:

Command	Description
netsh winsock reset	Resets the Winsock Catalog to its default configuration.
netsh int ip reset	Resets the TCP/IP stack to its default configuration.

3. Restart your computer and check if the error has been resolved.

5. Perform a System File Checker scan

System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in tool in Windows that can help fix corrupted system files that may be causing the “RPC server is unavailable” error. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
3. Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time.
4. Restart your computer and check if the error has been resolved.

Conclusion

The “RPC server is unavailable” error can be a frustrating issue to deal with, but with the solutions we have provided, you should be able to fix it easily. Remember to check if the RPC service is running, enable it if it’s disabled, unblock it in the firewall, reset the TCP/IP stack, and perform an SFC scan if necessary. We hope this guide has been helpful for you, Devs, and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

FAQ

Q. What is the RPC service?

The Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is a technology that allows different programs to collaborate and work together on a network. The RPC protocol is used to enable communication between a client and a server on a network. It allows remote execution of code and enables programs to communicate with each other across different machines, platforms, and programming languages.

Q. What causes the “RPC server is unavailable” error?

The “RPC server is unavailable” error can be caused by several reasons, including the RPC service not running, the RPC service being disabled, the RPC service being blocked by a firewall, the RPC service not being properly configured, and the RPC service conflicting with other services or applications.

Q. How can I fix the “RPC server is unavailable” error?

To fix the “RPC server is unavailable” error, you can try several solutions, including checking if the RPC service is running, enabling it if it’s disabled, unblocking it in the firewall, resetting the TCP/IP stack, and performing an SFC scan if necessary.