How Do You Fix The “Target Principal Name Is Incorrect” Error? [A Detailed Guide]

If you’re wondering why the “Target Principal Name is Incorrect” error keeps appearing, you’ve come to the right place. We not only discuss why it pops up, but also how to fix it, along with some other useful information.

How Do You Fix Target Principal Name is Incorrect?

Fixing the error is easy. You just:

  • Deactivate the Key Distribution Center service
  • Restart the Domain Controller
  • Open the Command-box as the administrator
  • Enter the following command- netdom resetpwd /Server:dc-mit-pdc-Emulator-Rolle /userd:<em>Domain\Administrator</em> /passwordd:<em>p
  • Restart the Domain Controller again
  • Reset the Key Distribution Center to Automatic Start

Hopefully you won’t have to deal with the issue again. If you do, you can try restarting your PC. This might help if a glitch is wreaking havoc.

What Does it Mean the Target Principal Name is Incorrect?

To cover all bases, we have also discussed why the error message appears. It does so when the target server fails to decrypt the ticket provided by the client. Usually, your server’s principal name being registered to another account causes this.

Why Am I Getting Internet Security Warnings All of The Time?

Along with the Target Principal error, another common issue is the internet security warning. Not everyone faces it, though. This includes mainly administrators that use self-publish certificates.

The alert indicates that the address in the Autodiscover file differs from the address used by the server.

How Do I Get Rid of Internet Security Warning?

Here’s what you do:

  • Click on the Internet Options in the search bar
  • Choose the Control Panel subpage
  • Go to the Advanced tab
  • Scroll down until you find the Security section
  • Look for the “Warn About Certificate Address Mismatch” option
  • Uncheck the box next to it

For added measure, try restarting your computer again. The problem should be gone now.

What Does Invalid Certificate Mean on Outlook?

Invalid Certificate is another annoying Outlook error. An expired security certificate usually causes it. There is nothing you can do to get rid of it, other than to reactivate your certificate.

However, you might like to know that you can click OK on the error and still connect to the mail server.

How Do I Verify My Outlook Certificate?

As the above error pops up when your outlook certificate is invalid, verifying your Outlook certificate will help.

All that you need to do is:

  • Go to the file tab
  • Click on Options
  • Tap the Trust Center menu from the left panel
  • Click the Email Security option from the left panel
  • Tap on Security (should be under the Encrypted heading)
  • Tap on Choose (under the Certificates and Algorithms menu)
  • Find the View Certificate option and click on it

How Do I Stop Website Security Certificate Errors?

Just like the target principal issue, security certificate errors are also common.

Here’s what you do:

  • Right-click the Windows key
  • Open the Control Panel
  • Select the Internet Options button
  • Open the Advanced tab
  • Look for the Security menu
  • Launch it
  • Find the Warn About Certificate Address mismatch option and uncheck it
  • Click Apply
  • Tap OK to save the changes
  • Reboot your PC afterward

Why Do We Need SSL?

We have to discuss SSL while on the topic of security certificates.  It is the security measure that keeps your Outlook emails safe. All websites are protected through HTTPs, which we’ve touched on in the section below.

Is HTTPS Better Than HTTP?

HTTPs is the HTTP protocol that uses TLS/SSL to encrypt HTTP requests. Thus, it is more secure.  Websites that use HTTP are HTTP:// while websites that use HTTPS are HTTPS://

Why Do I Get an Outlook 365 Error?

You will see the Outlook 365 error when the server’s name does not match the name in your Outlook account settings.

Fixing the “Target Principal Name is Incorrect” Error

As discussed, fixing the error message is easy. All you have to do is deactivate the key distribution center service, and restart the domain controller. The whole process won’t take much work.

You will most often face the problem when the target server fails to decrypt the ticket provided by the client. Hopefully you found everything that was discussed useful.

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