ERROR_DS_AG_CANT_HAVE_UNIVERSAL_MEMBER - 8578 (0x2182)
An account group cannot have a universal group as a member.
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Technical Meaning
The error code ERROR_DS_AG_CANT_HAVE_UNIVERSAL_MEMBER indicates that an attempt was made to add a universal group as a member of another account group, which is not allowed in the Active Directory schema.
Error Details
This error typically occurs during operations involving group membership changes or when attempting to modify the structure of groups within an Active Directory domain. The specific operation that triggers this error might include adding members to a security-enabled global group (AG) using a universal group as the member.
Usage Context
The context in which this error is encountered can vary, but it often arises during administrative tasks such as managing group memberships or when implementing Group Policy settings that involve complex group structures. This error is specific to Active Directory and does not apply to file system operations, permissions, parameters, data integrity checks, resource limits, or unsupported capabilities.
Developer Interpretation
Developers should be aware of the limitations imposed by the Active Directory schema when managing group memberships. Specifically, universal groups cannot be members of security-enabled global groups (AGs). Developers must ensure that any operations involving such group structures are performed correctly to avoid encountering this error.
Related Errors
ERROR_DS_GROUP_CONVERSION_IN_PROGRESS(8570): Indicates that a group is being converted and the operation should be retried later.ERROR_DS_NO_NEST_GLOBALGROUP_IN_UNIVERSAL(8612): Indicates that a universal group cannot contain a global group as a member.
FAQ
Q: What does this error mean?
A: This error indicates an attempt to add a universal group as a member of a security-enabled global group, which is not allowed in Active Directory.
Q: How can I resolve this issue?
A: Ensure that the operations involving group memberships adhere to the schema constraints. Specifically, avoid adding universal groups as members of security-enabled global groups.
Summary
The ERROR_DS_AG_CANT_HAVE_UNIVERSAL_MEMBER error is a specific technical limitation in Active Directory related to group membership structures. Developers should be aware of these limitations and ensure that their operations comply with the schema constraints to prevent encountering this error.