Fix ‘Unable to initialize the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service’ Error

Read time: 5 minutes

Are you struggling to resolve a critical error (Error 0x8004010f) affecting the Exchange information store? In this situation, users find themselves unable to start the Exchange information store on either Exchange Server 2010 or MS Exchange Server 2007. Even after attempting manual service restarts, users continue to encounter the following error message:

“Unable to initialize the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service.” – Error 0x8004010f

The error mentioned earlier is a common indication that the MS Exchange Information Store services cannot be initiated. The Exchange 2007 Management pack for MS Operations Manager consistently monitors the Windows Application log on machines running Exchange Server 2007. It generates error events when Windows encounters difficulty initializing the Exchange Information Store on the local machine.

You may find the error in the Event Viewer of the Application log

Data files are deemed to be in a precarious situation when you encounter difficulties accessing Exchange database files within the Exchange Information Store. The Exchange Server houses the vital EDB files, including both priv1.edb and pub1.edb, which store user mailbox data. If these files become corrupted or inaccessible, the information they hold faces a grave peril, potentially resulting in actual data loss.

Cause of the issue

When the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service is initiated, it automatically scans for the default recipient policy within both Exchange Server 2007 and Exchange Server 2010 environments. The potential causes for encountering this issue may stem from the presence of either of the following conditions:

• Replacement of the Default Policy by a custom email address policy
• Deletion of the Default Policy from the E-mail Address Policies tab

Prior to embarking on the resolution process, it is essential to ensure that you possess local Administrator privileges.

1. Restart the server
   Log in to your Windows Server and restart it. It is often seen that the issue resolves on restarting the device. Check if the Microsoft Exchange Information Store initializes successfully. If it’s not, proceed to the following solutions to fix the error 0x8004010f.
2. Check whether the domain is configured properly
   In the Exchange admin center, check that the domain name and settings are configured correctly.
   To do this, enter the Exchange admin center and then go to Mail flow and then Accepted domains.
3. The domain is currently online
   Make sure that the Domain Controller and its services are set to currently online.
4. Sync or reset time on the Exchange Server and Domain Controller
   If you can access the Exchange Server as well as the Domain Controller, verify that both machines have time in sync. If it’s not, set the time zone and clock on both manually and then restart.
5. Restart Exchange Directory Topology Service
   Restart the Exchange Directory Topology Service, and once it starts, open Command Prompt as administrator and execute the given command.
   Net time \\ADServerName\Set
   Now, try to initialize the Microsoft Exchange Information Store Service.
6. Replace Default Policy

Now, proceed to implement the following steps with precision:

• Go to Start and find Run (Windows key + R) and click, then type this command Adsiedit.msc, and again click OK.
• On the Action menu, go to  the‘Connect to’ option and click on it.
• A ‘Select a well-known Naming Context’ Box will appear ;simply go to its Configuration option and click OK.
• Proceed further by expanding the following:
  • Configuration ( The_Domain_Controller_Name . The_Name_Of_The_Domain . com )
  • CN=Configuration,DC= domain ,DC=com
  • CN=Services
  • CN=Microsoft Exchange
  • CN= Organization
  • CN=Recipient Policies
• Now go to email address policy and right-click to open the Properties.
• Go to the Attribute option and select purportedSearch. Here, confirm that the value is (mailNickname=*).
  Note: In case the value of purportedSearch is not mentioned as (mailNickname=*), change it manually by following these steps:

• Go to purportedSearch, and simply click  theEdit option.
• Go to Clear option and then type (mailNickname=*) in the Value box. Click OK to save the changes.
• Go to Attribute, and then click msExchPolicyOrder. Now click the Edit option.
• Go to Clear, type 2147483647 in the Value box, and then double-click  the OK option.
• Exit the Active Directory Service Interfaces (ADSI) Edit.
• Now, restart the server, which is running Exchange Server

If you encounter difficulty resolving the error message “Unable to initialize the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service” with Error 0x8004010f using the manual method, consider exploring third-party recovery software as an alternative solution.

Kernel for Exchange Server Recovery is a dependable software solution designed to ensure swift and precise recovery of EDB files, thereby ensuring the seamless functioning of the Exchange information store.

The tool excels in restoring corrupt EDB files with utmost authenticity and integrity. Notably, it offers the convenience of batch processing, allowing you to add multiple EDB files simultaneously for a quick and efficient resolution. What sets this tool apart is its independence from the availability of log files and Exchange services when tackling EDB file corruption issues.

Concluding Words

There are two manual methods in this article to fix the 0x8004010f error: restart the Exchange Server and replace the Default Policy. The error is critical and requires immediate action. For situations when other methods don’t prove to be helpful, try Kernel for Exchange Server Recovery. It allows users to save the recovered data directly to the Live Exchange environment, Office 365, or save it as a PST file on your system.