Fixes for the "RPC Server Unavailable" Error

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent OpenLab CDS

Issue

When launching the instrument Acquisition screen/instrument session, there is an "RPC Server Unavailable" error.

Resolution

Accessing the Services App (Windows)

There are two ways to access the Services app:

1. From the Run app:
   
   1. Press the Win+R keys on your keyboard.
      You will then see a Run window opening on the bottom-left of your screen. (See Figure 1).               

      
      
      Figure 1: Run window.
      
      

   2. Type services.msc in the text box, then click OK.
      

      
      
      Figure 2: Command needed for starting the Services application on your PC.
      
      

2. From the Windows menu (Figure 3):
   
   1. Click the Windows Start button on the bottom left of your screen.
      

      Tips: For Windows 10, you can skip step "a" altogether and go to step "b".

   2. Type Services in the search bar.
   3. Click the Services app (sometimes you might need to open this app as an Administrator).                   

      
      Figure 3: Opening the Services app.
      1. Searching the app, 2. Services app, 3. Run as Administrator.
      
      

Confirmation: Now you should have the Services application open in a separate window.

Usually, this error is related to print servers (where applicable), services, or other printer-related problems. The following are the most common fixes:

• Print Spooler Service not running
  
  1. Access the Services App
  2. Make sure that the Print Spooler service is running (Figure 4) and Startup Type is set to Automatic.                                 

     
     Figure 4: Location of the Print Spooler service within the Services app.
     
     

  3. If it is not running, restart the service. If you do not have permissions to perform this procedure, ask an Administrator of the PC to do it.
     
     
• Communication error between network devices
  
  1. Reboot computer.
  2. Power-cycle the instrument.
  3. Check if Firewall is started and preventing communication (or access to the network printer). If that is the case, remove the firewall block.
  4. Make sure that the Dcom Server Process Launcher service is working. 
  5. If the service is not working, restart it. If you do not have permissions to restart it, ask an Administrator of the PC to do it.

Learn how to effectively troubleshoot your Agilent OpenLab CDS Software: Agilent 8890 GC with OpenLab CDS Agilent 1260 Infinity LC Systems with OpenLab CDS e-learning course available from Agilent education