ERROR_DS_SRC_OBJ_NOT_GROUP_OR_USER - 8538 (0x215A)
The source object must be a group or user.
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Technical Meaning
This error code indicates that a source object in an Active Directory operation must be either a group or a user. The operation failed because the provided source object is neither of these types.
Error Details
The ERROR_DS_SRC_OBJ_NOT_GROUP_OR_USER error is specific to operations within the Windows domain services, particularly those involving directory service management and modifications. It signifies that an attempt was made to perform an action on a non-group or non-user object, which is not allowed by the system.
Usage Context
This error typically occurs in scenarios where Active Directory objects are being manipulated through APIs such as LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) or other directory service management tools. It can also appear when using Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) or PowerShell cmdlets that interact with Active Directory.
Developer Interpretation
Developers should ensure that the source object in their operations is correctly identified and classified as either a group or a user before performing any modifications or actions within the directory service. This error suggests that there was an attempt to use an incorrect type of object, which could be due to a programming mistake or misconfiguration.
Related Errors
ERROR_DS_SRC_GUID_NOT_UNIQUE(0x215B): The source GUID is not unique.ERROR_DS_SRC_NAME_EXISTS(0x215C): A source name already exists in the directory service.
FAQ
Q: What does this error mean?
A: This error indicates that a group or user object was expected, but another type of object was provided instead.
Q: How can I resolve this issue?
A: Ensure that the source object is correctly identified as either a group or a user before performing any operations.
Summary
The ERROR_DS_SRC_OBJ_NOT_GROUP_OR_USER error code (0x215A) signifies that an operation within Active Directory was attempted on an incorrect type of object. Developers should verify the types of objects being used in their directory service interactions to avoid this error.