Error Joining to Target Domain - Error Code 1355

Error 1355 when joining a computer to Active Directory usually means:

“The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted.”

In practical terms, the machine cannot properly find or talk to a domain controller for the target domain.

Common causes are:

• DNS is wrong
  • client is not using the AD DNS server
  • wrong suffix/search order
  • stale DNS records
• No network connectivity to the DC
  • routing/VPN issue
  • firewall blocking required ports
• The domain name was entered incorrectly
  • typo
  • using the wrong FQDN/NetBIOS name
• The DC cannot be located via DNS SRV records
  • _ldap._tcp.dc._msdcs.domain.com issues
• Time skew / trust-related connectivity issues
  • less common for 1355, but still possible in some environments
• Joining across VPN before line-of-sight to the DC exists