How to Fix Error Message 0x8007054b Event ID 15 "Certificate Enrollment" in AD CS

Error messages can be frustrating and confusing, especially when you don’t know what they mean or how to fix them. One such error message is “0x8007054b Event ID 15 Certificate Enrollment.” This error message occurs when you try to enroll a certificate in Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS). The error can happen due to a variety of reasons, including an incorrect certificate template or configuration, problems with the certificate authority (CA) or network, or incorrect permissions. In this article, we will explore some possible solutions to fix error message 0x8007054b Event ID 15 “Certificate Enrollment” in AD CS.

Understanding Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first understand what Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) is and what it does. AD CS is a Windows server role that provides customizable services for issuing and managing public key infrastructure (PKI) certificates. PKI certificates are digital documents that are used to verify the identity of an entity, such as a user or computer, in a network environment. PKI certificates are used for secure communication, such as encryption and digital signatures.

AD CS provides a centralized and automated way to manage PKI certificates in an organization. It includes two main components: a CA and a certificate enrollment service (CES). The CA is responsible for issuing and managing digital certificates, while the CES is used for requesting and enrolling certificates from the CA.

Understanding the Error Message 0x8007054b Event ID 15

When you try to enroll a certificate from the CES, you may encounter the error message “0x8007054b Event ID 15 Certificate Enrollment.” This error message can occur due to various reasons, such as incorrect certificate template or configuration, incorrect permissions, or problems with the CA or network.

Some possible causes of the error message 0x8007054b Event ID 15 are:

Incorrect certificate template: If the certificate template used for the enrollment request is not valid or doesn’t have the required permissions, the enrollment may fail, and the error message may appear.

Incorrect permissions: The user requesting the certificate may not have the required permissions to enroll the certificate, or the certificate authority (CA) may not have the correct permissions to issue the certificate.

Network issues: The network connection between the CES and the CA may be disrupted, causing the enrollment to fail.

Configuration issues: The CA or CES may be misconfigured, causing the enrollment to fail.

How to Fix Error Message 0x8007054b Event ID 15 “Certificate Enrollment” in AD CS

Now that we understand some of the possible causes of the error message 0x8007054b Event ID 15 “Certificate Enrollment,” let’s explore some possible solutions to fix the error.

Solution 1: Check Certificate Template Permissions

The first solution is to check the certificate template permissions. Ensure that the certificate template used for the enrollment request has the required permissions. To check the certificate template permissions, follow these steps:

Open the Certificate Templates console.
Right-click the certificate template used for the enrollment request, and then click Properties.
Click the Security tab.
Ensure that the user requesting the certificate has the Enroll permission.
Ensure that the CA has the Issue and Manage CA permission.

Solution 2: Check User Permissions

The second solution is to check the user permissions. Ensure that the user requesting the certificate has the required permissions to enroll the certificate. To check the user permissions, follow these steps:

Open the Active Directory Users and Computers console.
Locate the user account that is requesting the certificate.
Right-click the user account, and then click Properties.
Click the Security tab.
Ensure that the user has the Enroll permission.

If the user does not have the Enroll permission, add the permission by clicking Add and selecting the user account.

Solution 3: Check Certificate Authority Permissions

The third solution is to check the permissions of the certificate authority (CA). Ensure that the CA has the correct permissions to issue the certificate. To check the CA permissions, follow these steps:

Open the Certification Authority console.
Right-click the CA, and then click Properties.
Click the Security tab.
Ensure that the CA has the Issue and Manage Certificates permission.

If the CA does not have the Issue and Manage Certificates permission, add the permission by clicking Add and selecting the CA.

Solution 4: Check Network Connectivity

The fourth solution is to check the network connectivity between the CES and the CA. Ensure that there are no network issues that could be causing the enrollment to fail. To check the network connectivity, follow these steps:

Ping the CA from the CES to ensure that there is connectivity between the two.
If there is no connectivity, check the network configuration and ensure that the necessary ports are open.

Solution 5: Check CA and CES Configuration

The fifth solution is to check the configuration of the CA and CES. Ensure that both are properly configured and functioning correctly. To check the configuration, follow these steps:

Open the Certification Authority console.
Ensure that the CA is configured correctly.
Open the Certificate Services Client console.
Ensure that the CES is configured correctly.

If there are any configuration issues, troubleshoot and resolve them.

Conclusion

Error messages can be frustrating and confusing, but with a little troubleshooting, they can usually be resolved. The error message 0x8007054b Event ID 15 “Certificate Enrollment” in AD CS is one such error that can be fixed by following the solutions outlined above. By checking the certificate template and user permissions, CA permissions, network connectivity, and CA and CES configuration, you can resolve the error and enroll certificates successfully.

Tags: computer