Domain Name Server Generates Event ID 156, Lack of Cache Entry for Name Server (250268)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q250268

SYMPTOMS

When you check Event Viewer, you may notice that it reports the following event logged by your Domain Name Server (DNS):
Event ID 156:
DNS Server does not have a cache (or database) entry for root name server. The cache file MUST have at least one NS record, indicating a root DNS server and a corresponding A record for that root DNS server. Otherwise the DNS server will be unable to contact the root DNS server on startup and will be unable to answer queries for names outside of its own authoritative zones.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur when the Cache.dns file is corrupted or contains invalid entries.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, follow these steps:

  1. Stop the DNS service.
  2. Rename the existing Cache.dns file in the %SystemRoot%\System32\Dns folder to Cache.old.
  3. Copy the Cache.dns file from the %SystemRoot%\System32\Dns\Backup folder into the %SystemRoot%\System32\Dns folder.
  4. Restart the DNS service.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/27/2002
Keywords:kbprb KB250268
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.