How to fix “Either a required impersonation level was not provided or the provided impersonation level is invalid. [ERROR_BAD_IMPERSONATION_LEVEL (0x542)]” – Error Code 1346

Overview

In this article, we’ll focus on resolving the issue described as: “Either a required impersonation level was not provided or the provided impersonation level is invalid. [ERROR_BAD_IMPERSONATION_LEVEL (0x542)]”. This error, identified by the error code Error Code 1346, can impede your system’s performance, and here’s how you can fix it.

Identifying the Problem

What is Error Code 1346?

Error Code 1346 is an error that occurs when a program attempts to impersonate another user but does not have the necessary privileges to do so. This can occur for several reasons, including:

• The program is not running with sufficient privileges.
• The program is trying to impersonate a user who does not exist.
• The program is trying to impersonate a user with a higher level of privilege than the program itself has.

Typical Scenarios

Error Code 1346 commonly appears:

• When installing or running software that requires elevated privileges.
• When accessing network resources that require authentication.
• When trying to impersonate a user from a different domain.

Signs of the Error

The most common signs of Error Code 1346 are:

• Programs failing to launch or run correctly.
• Error messages when accessing network resources.
• Difficulty performing administrative tasks.

Common Fixes

Fix 1: Run the Program as Administrator
– Right-click the program’s shortcut or executable file.
– Select “Run as administrator”.
– Enter the administrator password if prompted.

Fix 2: Enable Impersonation Privileges
– Open Registry Editor (regedit).
– Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
– Create a new DWORD value named “EnableLinkedConnections”.
– Set its value to 1.

Fix 3: Grant Impersonation Permissions
– Open Control Panel.
– Go to Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy.
– Expand “Local Policies” > “User Rights Assignment”.
– Locate the policy “Impersonate a client after authentication”.
– Add the user or group that needs the impersonation permission.

Advanced Troubleshooting

Fix 1: Check Impersonation Level
– Open Command Prompt as administrator.
– Run the command: whoami /priv
– Check the “Impersonation Level” field. It should be set to “Impersonate”.

Fix 2: Use a Token Impersonation Tool
– Download a token impersonation tool (e.g., PsExec)
– Use the tool to impersonate the desired user with the required impersonation level.

Conclusion

Error Code 1346 can be an inconvenience, but it can be resolved with the right troubleshooting steps. By following the fixes outlined in this article, you should be able to eliminate this error and ensure your system’s smooth operation. To prevent future occurrences, remember to run programs with sufficient privileges, ensure proper user permissions, and keep your system up-to-date.