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Druva Documentation

Phoenix Windows Server activation fails with the error - Druva Phoenix Client service is not running


Problem description

After a successful installation or upgrade of the Phoenix agent on a Windows server, launching the Phoenix agent for activation causes the error Druva Phoenix Client service is not running.

Druva Phoenix agent.png Client service not running.png

The Phoenix agent service is running when seen from the Services console. However, the Phoenix.exe process is missing in the list of processes in the Windows Task Manager.
Windows task manager.png

The log C:\ProgramData\Phoenix\PhoenixCPH.log shows the following error:

PATH =C:\Program Files\Druva\Phoenix Agent\Phoenix.exe

Error is: 0x800b010a. 

CreateProcess failed as exe verification is failed

Navigate to C:\Program Files\Druva\Phoenix Agent\Phoenix.exe. Check the properties of phoenix.exe. On the Digital Signature tab, you will see the error Certificate signature cannot be verified.

phoenix properties.png 


Certificates from the certificate chain are missing from the respective certificate store. A certificate chain is an ordered list of certificates, containing an SSL Certificate and Certificate Authority (CA) Certificates, that enables the receiver to verify that the sender and all CA's are trustworthy. If you click View Certificate, you will see the following chain:  COMODO is a trusted root certificate authority. USER Trust RSA and Sectigo RSA are intermediate certificate authority.  Druva Inc is a leaf certificate.

Trusted root and intermediate certificates must be present in respective certificate stores on the server for the leaf certificate to be verified. The following screenshots illustrate how the chain of certificates above authenticate one another: Root - Intermediate - Leaf hierarchy.

leaf cert.png

intermediate cert.png

intermediate cert 2.png

root cert.png


If the certificates above are not present in the respective certificate stores, add them. 

  1. Export the trusted root and intermediate certificates to any location on the server. To export the certificate, click Details on the certificate and select Copy to File...

    Copy cert.png
  2. Export in the DER encoded binary X.509 (.CER) format and save it to any location on the server.
    Export format.png
  3. Import the certificates into the certificate store. Launch an administrative command prompt, type mmc, and press Enter.  Click  File > Add/Remove Snap In...> Certificates > My user account.
    cert snap in.png
  4. Import the trusted root certificate (COMODO in this case) to the following store.
    import cert.png

    Similarly, import all the missing intermediate certificates (USERTrust and Sectigo in this case) to the following store.
    import all cert.png
  5. Restart the Phoenix service. Phoenix.exe service should be running in the task manager now.