DNS_ERROR_DS_ZONE_ALREADY_EXISTS - 9718 (0x25F6)
DNS zone already exists in the directory service.
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Technical Meaning
This error code, 9718 (0x25F6), is returned when an attempt to create or modify a DNS zone in the directory service fails because the specified zone already exists.
Error Details
The DNS_ERROR_DS_ZONE_ALREADY_EXISTS error indicates that the operation attempted to add or update a DNS zone, but the zone with the same name already exists within the directory service. This can occur during operations such as adding new zones in Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) or when attempting to modify an existing zone.
Usage Context
This error is typically encountered in scenarios where administrative actions are performed on DNS zones managed by AD DS, such as creating a new zone, updating zone properties, or transferring ownership of a zone. The error suggests that the operation was not completed due to the existence of a conflicting zone name.
Developer Interpretation
When this error is returned, developers should understand that the specified DNS zone already exists in the directory service. This can be useful for determining whether an operation needs to proceed or if it should be handled differently (e.g., updating existing records instead of creating new zones).
Related Errors
DNS_ERROR_DS_NO_SUCH_ZONE- Indicates that a requested DNS zone does not exist.DNS_ERROR_DS_ZONE_LOCKED- Indicates that the specified DNS zone is locked and cannot be modified.
FAQ
Q: What does the error 9718 (0x25F6) mean?
A: It indicates that a specified DNS zone already exists in the directory service, preventing the operation from completing successfully.
Q: How can I handle this error in my application?
A: You should check if the zone exists before attempting to create or modify it. If the zone does exist, consider updating existing records instead of creating new zones.
Summary
The DNS_ERROR_DS_ZONE_ALREADY_EXISTS error is a specific technical indicator that a DNS zone with the specified name already exists in the directory service. Developers should handle this error by checking for the existence of the zone before performing operations and considering alternative actions if the zone already exists.