Microsoft Exchange Information Store Service Not Starting – How to Fix it

Updated On - October 23, 2024 by Nasir Khan | Reading Time: 4 minutes

The article explains why you’re getting the “unable to initializin0067 the Microsoft Exchange information store service – error 0x96f” and how to fix it. The users will also know how to fix the Exchange database file if it becomes substantially damaged or corrupted due to this Exchange error.

The Administrator’s responsibility is to care for the Microsoft Exchange Server’s Exchange data. In addition, it is responsible for preventing Exchange server errors, which is crucial for the security of Exchange mailbox information. The “unable to initialize Exchange information store service” error is just one of several.

Reasons for Microsoft Exchange Information Store Service is not starting error?

Several potential causes for the MS Exchange Information Store Service not to start. The error notice, however, typically shows up when the Server computer’s clock and the domain controller’s clock are not correctly synchronized. This causes the Server or domain controller to report a time change, which prevents the Exchange server from starting the Information Store service.

In addition to these causes, the Exchange Information Store service problem may also be brought on by:

• Deleting the default policy from the ‘Email Address Policies’ tab
• Switching to a personalized email address policy in place of the standard procedure
• Software or hardware issues can cause Microsoft Exchange services, such as the MS Exchange Information Store Service, to malfunction anytime.
• Failure to reset the IS after repeatedly restarting the MS Exchange Server service

Repairing Microsoft Exchange Information Store Service Not Starting error

If you’re experiencing issues with your Exchange server, try following these instructions.

Words of warning: Please ensure that your EDB files and mailboxes have been backed up before continuing.

1. Restart the system

You need only log in to the Windows server and restart it. See that the Microsoft Exchange Information Store Service starts up properly after the reboot.

2. Double-check Your Domain’s Settings

Verify that the domain name and Exchange settings are correctly configured.

3. Ensure your domain is live.

Verify that the Domain Controller and all associated services are accessible over the internet.

4. Reset the Exchange server and the domain controller time manually

It is important to ensure the time on both the Domain Controller and the Exchange Server is accurate. Otherwise, you’ll need to reset both of their clocks manually.

5. Restart the Exchange Active Directory Topology Service

In Services, restart the Exchange Active Directory Topology Service. After the service starts, you can initialize the Exchange Information Store Service. Launch the command prompt as Administrator and type

Net time ADServerName /Set

• The next step is to restart the Microsoft Exchange Active Directory Topology Service.
• To access the Services Manager, use the Windows key plus R, then type services.msc and hit Enter.
• Look for the Microsoft Exchange Active Directory Topology service by scrolling down.
• To turn off a service click the “Restart” button.

Important: If you’re having issues with Exchange, you need to make sure you’ve restarted the Active Directory Topology Service.

6. Replace DefaultPolicy

• Start using the Windows key plus R, then type “adsiedit.msc,” and click OK.
• Select the Configuration option in the Naming Context window that displays, and then click the OK button.
• If you want to keep on, click on any of the following expansion menus:
  • Setup (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
• To change the Email Address Policy settings, right-click on it, and then pick Properties.
• Select the Attribute menu and type “purportedSearch” into the search bar. Make sure that (mailNickname=*) is the provided value. If the value in the purportedSearch field is not (mailNickname=*), you can change it by hand using the steps below.
  • Navigate to the purportedSearch value, click the Edit button, and select the Clear option.
  • After that, enter (mailNickname=*) into the Value field and hit OK to commit the changes.
• After making the necessary changes to the value in the purportedSearch column, select Attribute, then msExchPolicyOrder, and then click Edit.
• Click on Clear, enter 2147483647 in the Value area, and press OK twice.
• After that, close the Edit Active Directory Connection (ADUC) window.
• After making changes, restart the Exchange server.

To restore database consistency, you can try replacing the Default Policy with a custom email address policy, but if that doesn’t fix the Exchange problem, you’re out of luck. And if these measures don’t work, you risk losing data or having EDB files get corrupted.

What to do if the Microsoft Exchange Information Store Service Not Starting error has corrupt EDB files?

Even if the server does manage to begin the Microsoft Exchange Information Store Service, there is still a potential that the EDB file will become corrupt in the ensuing confusion.

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If your EDB file becomes corrupted, you can recover it from a previous backup. If you need to recover data and no longer have access to an appropriate backup, an Exchange Recovery tool like Regain Exchange EDB Recovery Tool can help.

• To add to its usefulness in recovering data from a faulty or inaccessible Exchange mailbox database, the tool can also be used to retrieve data from an inconsistent database.
• With no effort and downtime, Exchange administrators can get their databases back to normal state with the help of Regain Exchange recovery software.
• The recovered information can be transferred to a Live Exchange Server with a few clicks. The programme also facilitates the transfer of the recovered Exchange Mailboxes’ contents to Office 365.
• In addition, the software may repair a corrupted Exchange mailbox. Exchange data corruption, JET engine failure, improper shutdown, corrupt header, and malware infections are all things it can fix. As a bonus, it can handle many offline EDBs without compromising mailbox security.
• Exchange Server 2019 (and later), 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and lower are compatible with the Exchange Recovery software.
• The tool supports exporting recoverable data to PST, EML, RTF, PDF, MSG, and HTML, so the Administrator or user can use the information in other programmes. After that you can view your mailboxes with Windows Live Mail, Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail, etc.

Conclusion

Exchange Server plays a crucial role in business organizations; that’s why your Exchange Server must work proficiently. In this write-up, I’ve described a complete process to resolve the not starting issue of the Microsoft Exchange information store service. Several Exchange administrators suggest using Regain Exchange Recovery tool for the same and exchange-related other problems.