How to Fix the “A Referral Was Returned From the Server” Windows Error

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The “A referral was returned from the server” error is a common Windows error that appears when installing or launching a program. Although it sounds like a network-related error, it’s usually related to app permissions. Here are the possible ways to fix it.

Note: Before following the below methods, ensure that you trust the program you are trying to run. In most cases, the program requires elevated permissions that Windows is preventing. You will be disabling/editing those Windows functions to make the program work.

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Run Program as Administrator

If your primary account is a standard account, you might see this error when accessing specific apps. Thankfully, you can just run the program as administrator and you will not see this error.

When opening the program, right-click on it and select Run as administrator. This should fix the problem in most cases.

Lower UAC Security Level

User Account Control (UAC) is not only responsible for getting admin permissions for apps, but it can also block/restrict apps that ask for elevated permissions. You can temporarily decrease the UAC security level to run the program. Here’s how.

Search for “uac” in Windows Search and open the Change User Account Control settings control panel entry.

Here set the slider to Never notify, which is the lowest security level. Afterward, click on OK and try running the program.

Make sure you switch back the UAC slider to the default level again as it’s important for your PC security.

Disable PKI Signature Check

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a framework that uses digital certificates to secure data communications, ensuring data exchanged is secure and encrypted. In Windows, PKI signature checks validate that the software is signed with a trusted digital certificate before running it.

If the program you are running is old or not properly signed, it could lead to the “A referral was returned from the server” error. You can temporarily disable these checks before running the program.

You can use Group Policy Editor in Windows to disable it. Search for “group policy” in Windows Search and open Edit group policy.

Here move to Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options and disable User Account Control: Only elevate executable files that are signed and validated in the right panel.

If your Windows edition doesn’t support Group Policy Editor, you can also disable this in the Windows Registry. In Windows search, type “registry editor” and open the Registry Editor.

Move to the following location here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Double-click on ValidateAdminCodeSignatures in the right panel and set its value to 0.

Make sure you undo these changes after running the program.

Check Program Ownership

This error can sometimes also occur when your account has limited ownership of the program. To check the program ownership, right-click on it and select Properties.

Here move to the Security tab and check the permissions for your current account. Ensure it has Full control permission. If not, click on the Edit button.

Now check the checkbox under Allow next to Full control and then click on OK.

If you are unable to take full control like this, then you’ll have to use the advanced options to take ownership.

Run Compatibility Troubleshooter

The Compatibility Troubleshooter in Windows can automatically fix issues related to Windows version compatibility, permissions, and display. It can also possibly fix problems that are causing the “A referral was returned from the server” error.

To run the troubleshooter, right-click on the program and select Troubleshoot compatibility.

In the troubleshooter, first, select Try recommended settings to see if its recommendations can fix the issue. If not, then select the Troubleshoot program option instead.

Here select The program requires additional permissions and click Next to see if it fixes the problem.

Disable UAC Completely

This is a bit of a last-resort option, but if nothing is working, then this should fix the problem. You can temporarily disable User Account Control to lift most of the restrictions from programs. This can be done using the Registry, here’s how:

Open the Windows Registry by searching for “registry” in the Windows Search. Move to the following location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Now double-click on EnableLUA and change its value to 0. You’ll have to restart the PC to let the changes take effect.

When you are done installing or using the program, make sure you go through the above process again and set the EnableLUA value to 1.

Disable Driver Signature Enforcement

If you are seeing this error specifically when installing a Windows driver, then it could be because the driver isn’t properly signed. You can temporarily disable driver signature enforcement in Windows to install the driver.

Note: You need to disable secure boot in Windows before following the below instructions.

Search “cmd” in Windows Search and then right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.

Here copy/paste the following command and press Enter.

bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on

This will disable driver signature enforcement and you can install the driver.

When you are done installing the driver, use the below command to enable driver signature enforcement again.

bcdedit /set nointegritychecks off

You should also re-enable secure boot as it’s important for your PC security.

Disable Antivirus Software

Most antivirus software today have behavior detection features, including Windows Defender. This feature can prevent programs from running based on their behavior, possibly leading to the “A referral was returned from the server” error.

You can temporarily disable your antivirus program and try running the program. To disable Windows Defender, search for “windows security” in Windows search and open Windows Security.

Here move to Virus & threat protection in the left panel and then click on Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.

On the next page, disable Real-time protection and confirm the UAC prompt.

If you use third-party antivirus software, then it must have an option to temporarily disable it in the main interface or from the tray icon. In most cases, the protection will turn on automatically, but you should enable it right away after trying to run the program.

Fix Corrupted System Files

If all the above methods didn’t work for you, then it must be due to corrupted system files that are interfering with program execution. Thankfully, you can easily fix corrupted system files using System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools.

You can check this guide on how to scan and fix corrupted system files to learn how to use both of these tools to fix corrupted files. You don’t need to use the /Source switch as mentioned in the guide, but remember to rescan with the SFC tool after using the DISM tool.

I am sure one of the above methods will solve the “A referral was returned from the server” error. If you are still struggling, I guess it’s time to reset Windows to default settings as it can solve most software-related issues.

Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Karrar Haider.

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Karrar Haider –
Contributor

Karrar is drenched in technology and always fiddles with new tech opportunities. He has a bad habit of calling technology “Killer”, and doesn’t feel bad about spending too much time in front of the PC. If he is not writing about technology, you will find him spending quality time with his little family.

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