Error: The RPC Server Is Unavailable

That cryptic “error the rpc server is unavailable” can show up on Windows 10 for a few reasons. Usually it means the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service has stopped, the system clock is off, or the time zone is wrong. Below you’ll find the most common causes and step‑by‑step fixes, complete with PowerShell commands, so you can get RPC back up and keep your PC running smoothly.

1. Why the RPC Service Matters

RpcSs is a core Windows component that lets programs talk to each other, whether inside the same machine, across the network, or even over the internet. File sharing, Windows Update, Remote Desktop – all of these depend on RPC. When it stops, the “error the rpc server is unavailable” message pops up in event logs and sometimes in the Control Panel.

2. Common Causes of the Error

3. Step‑by‑Step Solutions

3.1 Restart the RPC Service

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, hit Enter.
2. Find Remote Procedure Call (RPC) in the list.
3. Right‑click → Restart.
4. If it’s disabled, right‑click → Properties → set Startup type to Automatic → Start.

Tip: PowerShell can do the same: ```powershellRestart-Service -Name RpcSs -Force```

3.2 Sync the System Clock

1. Open an elevated PowerShell window (right‑click → Run as administrator).
2. Run:

```powershellw32tm /resync```

3. If you hit an error, make sure the Windows Time service is running first:

```powershellStart-Service w32timew32tm /resync```

3.3 Adjust Time Zone Settings

1. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Date & time.
2. Turn off Set time automatically temporarily.
3. Pick the correct Time zone.
4. Turn Set time automatically back on.

3.4 PowerShell Script to Check and Correct Both Time and RPC Status

Copy
1# Check RPC service status
2$rpc = Get-Service -Name RpcSs
3if ($rpc.Status -ne 'Running') {
4    Write-Host "RPC service is not running. Restarting..."
5    Restart-Service -Name RpcSs -Force
6}
7
8# Sync system clock
9Write-Host "Synchronizing system clock..."
10Start-Service w32time
11w32tm /resync
12
13# Verify time zone
14$tz = Get-TimeZone
15Write-Host "Current time zone:" $tz.Id

Run it as an administrator. It will restart RPC, sync the clock, and print the current time zone.

4. Troubleshooting Table

5. Preventive Tips

• Enable automatic time sync: In Settings, keep “Set time automatically” turned on.
• Keep Windows updated: Install critical updates promptly to avoid breaking RPC.
• Use a reliable antivirus: Scan regularly to stop malware that meddles with RPC.
• Regularly check service status: A scheduled PowerShell task can restart RPC if it stops.

6. FAQ

Q: Why is RPC server unavailable after a Windows update? A: Some updates modify the RPC service or its dependencies. A quick restart of the service often resolves the issue. If the problem persists, roll back the update or contact Microsoft Support.

Q: How do I know if my system clock is out of sync? A: Open PowerShell and run w32tm /query /status. If the Source is not Local CMOS Clock or the Stratum is high, the clock may be unsynced. Use w32tm /resync to correct it.

Q: Can I disable RPC for security? A: Disabling RPC will break many Windows features, including file sharing and Windows Update. It is not recommended unless you have a specialized environment that does not need these features.

Q: Where can I find more detailed Windows networking guides? A: Check our internal guide on Windows networking for deeper insights into RPC, SMB, and other network services.

Call to Action If you’re still experiencing RPC issues, try the steps above. If the problem persists, consider contacting Microsoft Support or visiting the Windows Community forums for additional help.

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error the rpc server is unavailable

Windows 10 RPC error fix

The error the rpc server is unavailable can pop up for many reasons – a stopped service, a clock that’s out of sync, or a recent Windows update that messed with RPC. Below is a straightforward, step‑by‑step guide to help you diagnose and bring the RPC stack back to life.

1. What is RPC and why it matters

RPC, short for Remote Procedure Call, is the backbone of many Windows services. It lets a client app call functions on a remote server as if they were local. When the RPC service goes offline, you’ll see messages like RPC server unavailable or The RPC server is unavailable. Getting RPC back up is usually the first move to restore network functionality.

2. Common causes of the error

3. Step‑by‑step solutions

3.1 Restart the RPC service

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc and hit Enter.
2. In the list, locate Remote Procedure Call (RPC).
3. Right‑click and choose Restart. If the service is stopped, click Start.
4. Verify that the status is Running.

3.2 Synchronise the system clock

1. Open an elevated PowerShell prompt (right‑click PowerShell → Run as administrator).
2. Execute the following command to force a resynchronisation with the Windows time service:

Copy
1w32tm /resync /force

Tip: The screenshot below shows the command‑line window with the w32tm /resync command highlighted. The alt text reads: Command‑line window showing the w32tm /resync command.

3.3 Adjust time zone settings

1. Open Settings → Time & Language → Date & Time.
2. Turn Set time automatically on if it’s off.
3. Under Time zone, select the correct zone from the drop‑down.
4. If you are in a region that observes daylight‑saving time, ensure Adjust for daylight saving time automatically is enabled.

3.4 Restart the RPC service via PowerShell

For a quick, scriptable approach, run:

Copy
1Get-Service -Name RpcSs | Restart-Service -Force

4. PowerShell script to check and fix both time and RPC status

Below is a ready‑to‑run script that performs all the checks and corrective actions in one go. Copy the code into a new .ps1 file and run it as administrator.

Copy
1# Check RPC service status
2$rpc = Get-Service -Name RpcSs
3if ($rpc.Status -ne 'Running') {
4    Write-Host 'RPC service not running – attempting to start…'
5    Start-Service -Name RpcSs
6    if ((Get-Service -Name RpcSs).Status -ne 'Running') {
7        Write-Error 'Unable to start RPC service. Check for dependent services.'
8    } else {
9        Write-Host 'RPC service started successfully.'
10    }
11} else {
12    Write-Host 'RPC service is already running.'
13}
14
15# Synchronise system clock
16Write-Host 'Synchronising system clock…'
17try {
18    w32tm /resync /force
19    Write-Host 'Clock synchronized.'
20} catch {
21    Write-Error 'Clock resynchronisation failed. Ensure the Windows Time service is running.'
22}
23
24# Verify time zone is set correctly (example: Eastern Standard Time)
25$expectedZone = 'Eastern Standard Time'
26$currentZone = (Get-TimeZone).Id
27if ($currentZone -ne $expectedZone) {
28    Write-Host "Time zone is $currentZone – setting to $expectedZone…"
29    Set-TimeZone -Id $expectedZone
30    Write-Host 'Time zone updated.'
31} else {
32    Write-Host 'Time zone is correct.'
33}

5. Troubleshooting table

6. FAQ

Q: Why does the RPC server become unavailable after a Windows update? A: Many updates restart the RPC service or tweak the Windows Time service settings. Restarting RPC and resyncing the clock usually fixes it.

Q: Can I disable RPC to improve performance? A: No. RPC is essential for many core Windows functions; disabling it can break networking and authentication.

Q: How do I ensure the system clock stays accurate? A: Turn on Set time automatically and use a reliable time server. You can also schedule the w32tm /resync command via Task Scheduler.

7. Preventive tips

• Keep Windows updates current to avoid service interruptions.
• Enable automatic time sync in Settings → Time & Language.
• Verify that the RPC and Windows Time services are set to Automatic startup.
• Periodically run the PowerShell script above to catch any drift early.

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